Why key Chicago Bears free agent is perfect Ben Johnson fit

Once Ben Johnson was officially hired as the Chicago Bears head coach, the team was aggressive in bolstering their offensive line. One of their biggest moves was signing center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract.

When Dalman entered the free agent market, he was considered one of, if not the best center option available. And at just 26-years-old, he is now expecting to be a focal point of quarterback Caleb Williams’ blocking scheme for the foreseeable future.

Johnson has hand selected every new addition to the Bears’ roster. And with Dalman now in the fold, Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus expects the head coach to employ his preferred brand of rushing attack in Chicago.

“The Bears overhauled their interior offensive line this offseason, and nobody is a better fit for Ben Johnson’s offense than their new center, Drew Dalman, who is one of the best outside zone blockers in the NFL,” Wasserman wrote. “His 94.3 run-blocking grade in those concepts since 2023 ranks second among centers and fourth among all offensive linemen. That bodes well considering Johnson called outside zone runs at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL last season.”

Drew Dalman bolsters Chicago Bears run game 

Chicago’s new-look offensive line will largely be judged by how many times Williams is sacked, especially after allowing a league-high 68 in 2024. However, the Bears must also show massive improvements in the run game, coming off a season in which they ranked 25th in total rushing, averaging 102 yards per game.

The Falcons on the other hand finished 10th in rushing, averaging 130.5 yards per game. Bijan Robinson had a breakout season, blowing blast his career-highs with 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns. While Dalman can’t take all the credit, he played a pivotal role in helping Atlanta become a rushing force.

The center can take credit for his overall strong play throughout the 2024 campaign. While an ankle injury limited him to just nine games, Dalman still earned a 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking fourth/64 centers. His 79.8 run blocking grade ranked fifth/64 centers.

In Johnson’s final year with the Detroit Lions, the team finished sixth in rushing, averaging 146.4 yards per game. Both Jahmyr Gibbs (16) and David Montgomery (12) broke 10 rushing touchdowns. The former ran for 1,412 yards while the latter had 775. While that’s not to say D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson will match those numbers, it at least shows how important the run game is to Johnson.

The Bears wanted to completely change their offensive vision, starting with the hiring of Johnson. And almost immediately after the legal tampering window opened, they made sure to bounce on Dalman. The center’s connection with Williams will be crucial as the team develops their new-look offense. But if things go how Johnson and Chicago are planning, Dalman will be a pivotal part of any Bears success.