Drew Dalman retires at 27, much the way his father did 26 years ago
Los Angeles Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman announced his retirement at age 27 after five NFL seasons and playing every snap in 2025, despite being in the first year of a lucrative three-year, $42 million contract.
- Dalman's decision, initially seen as surprising, reflects growing awareness among players about long-term health risks like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) linked to repeated head trauma in football.
- Dalman, a Stanford mechanical engineering graduate, likely considered both his substantial earnings—approximately $24 million over five years—and the health struggles faced by former players, including his father Chris Dalman, who retired early due to injury.
- The Bears gain $10 million in salary cap space from Dalman's retirement, allowing them
