New England Patriots
New England reportedly will receive a fifth-round draft pick in the deal.
Garrett Bradbury started every game for the Patriots in their AFC Championship title-winning season. AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper
The Patriots will need to name a new starting center in 2026.
New England is reportedly trading Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that the trade cannot be made official until the new league year begins next week.
The Bears urgently needed a new center following the surprise retirement of 27-year-old Drew Dalman earlier this week. Dalman was a Pro Bowler in 2025 and had signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Chicago last March.
Bradbury, 30, started every game for the Patriots in 2025, all the way through their Super Bowl LX appearance. The seven-year NFL veteran helped significantly improve New England’s offensive line this past season, aiding in protecting, and creating chemistry with, quarterback Drake Maye. Maye had played with three different starting centers his rookie year (David Andrews, Ben Brown, and Cole Strange).
Bradbury held a leadership role with fellow veteran Morgan Moses on the o-line alongside rookie left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson. Bradbury played a role in the Patriots’ turnaround from one of the worst teams in 2024 to AFC champions in 2025.
The reported trade would free up $5.7 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. When the trade and the release of Stefon Diggs become official, New England will have over $60 million to spend in free agency.
Moving forward, Bradbury’s in-house replacement could be Wilson, who played center in college. The 22-year-old started 12 games at center for Georgia in 2024, snapping the pigskin to 2026 NFL Draft QB prospect Carson Beck.
Wilson started 17 total games at left guard for the Patriots in 2025, including each playoff game.
If Wilson does move to center, New England will need to find his LG replacement, perhaps through April’s NFL Draft or free agency. Brown could be an in-house option at that position, as he replaced Wilson multiple times throughout the season when Wilson suffered injuries. Starting Brown would take a hit to the team’s o-line depth, however.
Whichever route the Patriots opt to take, they will need to retool one of the key position groups from their wildly successful 2025 team. Maye’s health, which deteriorated in the postseason, should be at the top of the front office’s priority list during the decision-making process.
Kaley Brown
Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
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