Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman has announced his retirement from professional football at age 27, ending a five-season NFL career.

Dalman was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Stanford University. He spent his first four seasons with Atlanta before joining the Bears for the 2024 season.

The retirement creates a significant need for Chicago at the center position, as the team will now need to find a replacement for the starting role. Dalman's decision comes as a surprise given his relatively young age for an NFL player.

The Bears are already dealing with roster changes this offseason, including the trade of veteran wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills. These moves will likely impact the team's approach to the upcoming NFL Draft as they address multiple positional needs.

Dalman's retirement adds to the list of players who have stepped away from the NFL while still in their prime playing years, though the specific reasons for his decision have not been disclosed.