EMERGENCY POD: Bears Acquire Center Garrett Bradbury to Help Replace Drew Dalman | CHGO Bears

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1:01You can even boost speeds to your most important devices. Get reliable Wi-Fi at one price for five years. Guaranteed. Exfinity. Imagine that. Watch Jurassic Park with Exfinity. Restrictions apply. Select plans only. Emergency pod. It is Garrett Bradbury, your newest Chicago bear emergency pod presented by Exfinity. Imagine that your team starting line up might change, but the price of your internet will not check out the five-year price. Guaranteed from Exfinity. Mark Carmen, my old man glasses on here to try to figure out who the hell Garrett Bradbury is alongside Adam Johns and Adam Hogue. That's right. We tell you, hit the subscribe button because when the bears make a move, do anything. We're on no matter how many pods we've done in a day and it's the busy season here. So a fifth round pick in 2027 going out the

2:05window, which is obviously nothing. And the bears get in their center and we think that he's a starter. I think we think that let's get into this Tyler Linderbaum. The dream appears to be dead. Hogue, are you want to start us here? John's either one of you feel free to jump in. What do you think? Yeah, I'll start. I mean, this is, I'm just going to be honest. This is underwhelming. It's underwhelming. Garrett Bradbury was in Minnesota. He's played in this division for a long time, but he was never really lived. Despite the fact that he made it, you know, past four years in Minnesota, he was, he never really lived up to that first round billing that he had drafted out North Carolina state. You know, he was somebody I know I looked at last year when the bears were looking at centers because he was a free agent and the Vikings were not going to keep him. He ended up signing a two year deal for what could have been up to 12 million dollars was really like a 9.5 million dollar deal over two years. So I mean, honestly,

3:05we're talking Ryan Bates money here. We're not talking Drew Dolman money. I tend to want to follow the money with with some of these things. We're also only talking about giving up a future fifth round pick, which honestly at this point, he's 30 years old seems a little steep to me. So I look at Bradbury can play. He was he started 17 games and made it to the Superbowl with the with the Patriots this year. You know, I've reached out to a couple of Patriots, guys. I know to see, you know, what their evaluation of him is what their evaluation of him was this season. But I guess I'm not completely convinced we're talking about a full blown replacement for Drew Drew Dolman here. I would think that there's still at least at a minimum, got to be some type of competition, whether that's a draft pick or another another signing because this is definitely a step down from what Drew Dolman gave the bears as a pro baller this year.

4:07I think you make this move a couple days before the negotiation window. If you're concerned about landing one of the one of the centers in free agency, it's called a backup plan if you want. But it's a it's a capable backup plan where you're getting a center with a lot of experience. Just played 17 games and I'm playing off team a team that reached the the Superbowl. A team that, you know, you don't like seeing good teams give up on players. But if you're you're the bears, you like the experience. If you've been Johnson, I'm sure you like the experience as opposed to maybe some of these other options out there. And if you're the bears and you're concerned about landing Linderbaum, if he's too much for you or for another team's got a better offer for another team's willing to break the bank and you're not. And I think you have to act proactively. And this is what Ryan Poles seems to be doing, bringing in Bradbury. Right. So, okay, just reading the T-Leaves here. I think that they think they're an underdog at bare minimum. If not completely out on

5:10Tyler Linderbaum, that will be my guess. And a 2027 fifth rounder as you put it home, maybe is a drop steep, but it's not like over the, you know, you're not you. It's certainly recoverable. And I saw so many in the comments and this is sort of where I'm at like right when the trade hit. Okay, Ben Johnson must like him enough. You know, this is a this is a different land right now for me. I think for a lot of bears fans where you just kind of believe that the head coach has a vision for how he's going to use them and it'll work. So I also think that you do need to draft a center or multiple offensive linemen really, even though they've got 7,000 needs right now. So it's like you're not going to be able to fix everything. But this does screen competition. Maybe there is somebody in the draft. They like a lot who they could elevate and give a shot to if it goes that way. But at worst case scenario, he's your starter. And hey, if things fall somehow

6:13miraculously that, you know, they can get the best guy out there. Well, then we just paid a fifth round pick for a backup insurance policy. Well, you know, a couple wrinkles here. You know, I mentioned that he was drafted at North Carolina state. He did overlap with Joe Tuni there. So there's, so there's that. And that should that should probably matter. You know, I'm also seeing Dan Casey on Twitter who I respect a lot as a football mind, you know, already tweeting out some film of him in wide zone at North Carolina state, saying it'd be a good fit and Ben Johnson's offense. So I mean, there is all that. North Carolina state was also, I believe he was drafted in 2019. So like that was a long time ago. And he was brought in as a tight end back in the day. So maybe, you know, we don't, maybe he can be the next Durham smite as well. And if they get linear bound for whatever, that's worth. Thank you very much. I'm just telling you, I might in my five seconds of Garrett Bradbury research here on the beginning of his car and Wikipedia, the dude was a tight end when he got to college. That's how long ago that was one of the cool one of the questions here in

7:17the chat is a depth piece. I don't think you can view him as a death piece right now. He's not initially. He's the bear's most experienced center. He's got a lot of experience. He's their starter right now until things change. And just mentioning the draft like a car, Hogan, I had heard about the bears having interest in various centers, you know, draft prospects coming up in this year's draft for April. So you're just trying to put two and two together that. Maybe this is the plan that the bears wanted to take action on. Maybe it's bringing in an experience center who could be here for one or two years and having him be a mentor for another young, you know, draft picked to to mold have Ben Johnson have a center from the start. Look, we, we, you know, everybody knows the numbers here or the needs, two linebackers, two safeties, left tackle, wide receiver, who could be your kick return or punt returner. I mean,

8:18it's kind of endless here, what they need. So, you know, you got to get some value somewhere. I mean, you know, and look, I don't love the fact the Patreons are letting him go, but I do like the fact that he played. He was the starting center and the team that went to the Super Bowl with a young quarterback. And this isn't like, again, in the comments, I don't mean to be reacting everything. This smells like a Ryan Bates move. No, Ryan Bates had very little starting experience specifically at center when he became a target for the Chicago Bears. Garrett Bradbury has significant experience, you can see like, especially at center. So this isn't a Ryan Bates backup situation. And we want to find a cheap steal for our offensive line. Bradbury has a lot more experience than Ryan Bates that look, I also wonder here, you know, Taylor Dacker got it's supposedly getting released. And we talked about it earlier on the show today. Do you does, and we actually been talking about it during the week, does what drew Dalman retiring,

9:18change your plans at left tackle. And do you know, if we look at this similarly, how we looked at it before when we had any idea, drew Dalman was going to retire. What we kept coming back to was they have four guys they know they can count on on the starting on on their offensive line. You can get by with hiding one. So if Taylor Dacker who was with Ben Johnson in Detroit ends up being an option to to be that stopgap at left tackle, maybe they're thinking, well, now we can add another guy and Garrett Bradbury's played a ton of football started been in this division too. You know, Ben Johnson seen him in this division as well. It's it's kind of like filling all five spots. You're not quite as strong at the four overall, but the cumulative with the all experience you have across that offensive line and them all being it's in this game. I can see how Ben Johnson would say that that makes sense. And there's only so much money in calf space to go around here. You're going to have to go cheaper at some of these positions.

10:21The thing that worries me is just we know how much of an impact drew Dalman had with Caleb Williams last year. And now Bradbury was with Drake May. And so he's he got experience working with the young quarterback as well last season. He signed a two year contract with New England leaving Minnesota for 12 million. And it's it's you know, so the bears are a sport according to a sport track. It's a $5.7 million cap at this year. That's not nothing. It's you know, it's a lot less than than you know, signing a lender bomb. And it may give you the space to go get Decker because we don't really know what Decker is going to command now that he's free. Right. A hundred percent. But I'm saying like to the point that like, is it, is he just here as insurance? Six million bucks is it does not feel like insurance to me. And I see John's you're shaking your head on the insurance thing. You think this is you think this is the start? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think he's here to start. Like this is a movie make with Ben Johnson's blessing. And maybe I'll even walk back some of the things that said earlier about

11:25him being like your consolation prize. Well, well, well, maybe he is. Maybe you heard lender bombs price and you're like, no way, can't do that. That's going to affect too many other positions. We have to back out. Maybe you heard McGovern's price. No way. Can't do that. I have to back out. Let's find another option. So you find a very capable one in Garrett Bradbury. And maybe what you want about pro football focus, but I'm going to reference some other stats right now. So 505 past blocking snaps last year for Garrett Bradbury. No sacks allowed. Like that's something that's their analysis. I know Drake May was sacked and awful lot. I would say a lot of those are on him for holding the ball too long and going big game hunting, which we know he likes to do. But some of the analysis, some of those we've already gone through the film of Bradbury are already giving positive reviews on the bear's acquisition of them. Olivia loves the challenge. It's why she lifts heavy weights and likes complicated recipes. But for booking her trip to Paris, Olivia chose the

12:27easy way with Expedia. She bundled her flight with a hotel to save more. Of course, she still climbed all 674 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower. You were made to take the easy route. We were made to easily package your trip. Expedia made to travel. Flight inclusive packages are at all protected. For a limited time, get one of these Jimmy John sandwiches, Jimmy chips and a drink for only $8.99. Choose the fan favorite turkey Tom with all natural turkey or the Pepe with smoked ham and provolone. The $8.99 meal deal at Jimmy John's. Oh, that's good. Limited time at participating locations, valid on turkey Tom and the Pepe eight inch homie, foods chips and regular fountain beds, up charges apply on bottle beds, premium sides and desserts, not valid with other offers. Tax add-ons extra. I just got very excited about and just having you say it versus everybody hearing everybody else say it, no sex, zero. That's a good number. Look, these are pieces to a puzzle.

13:32Normally, I don't trust what goes on as far as the bear is putting the puzzle together. They've been doing a pretty good good job putting the puzzle together. The last call it, I don't know, 15 months, whatever it is since they hired Ben Johnson to move forward. I mean, Ryan pulls us up in on a heater. So maybe this is another just under the radar, solid move. At some point, they'll have to figure out a long-term solution, but on the fly with the amount of needs, again, they have, it adds up. And I know we're just digesting this. Sometimes it's important to hear the other side of this story. I think that one of the first questions I would have if I'm critiquing this is why are the Patriots with their playoff aspirations, with Drake May, why are they giving up on their starting center who just built that relationship with Drake May? So here is Mike Reese from ESPN. He has covered the Patriots. I feel like forever. So he tweets, opinions, lash analysis, Garrett Bradbury, that everything Patriots asked for after signing him to a two-year deal last office, he's starting every game, 1,336 snaps, providing veteran leadership and helping stabilize the offensive line.

14:35With Jared Wilson projected center of the future, left guard moves up their needs list. So obviously there's some, it's a tweet, but sounds like they have their plans in place for their future center already. Yeah. I'm sorry, can you repeat that real quick because I was distracted by a message I got you. So who's there? Who's their starter now? Jared Wilson, who played left last year. Got it. Okay. Meanwhile, so my guy Phil Perry, who also covers the Patriots, does a great job over at NBC sports Boston. He brought me back to his analysis on Bradbury was he was fine, better pass protector than run blocker. I think at this stage, very rarely a liability, smart guy. Patriots obviously feel like they can do better, but they were lucky he fell into their laps after they released David Andrews last year. This is good news for Carm because Phil says you'll like him a lot as a guy. Really good dude. Pretty open, thoughtful, tries to be helpful, so there you go. I'm all in. Let's go. By the way, this Xfinity is Emergy Pod. Excuse me,

15:40is presented by Xfinity. Imagine that your team starting lineup did just change, but the price through internet will not check out the five-year price guarantee from Xfinity. Thank you to our friends at Xfinity for all the help on our emergency pods. Look, I'm feeling better about this by the minute. You have got to find value and wherever you can find it. And look, sure, the bears have hit out fifth round picks. Actually, they've hit on a lot of fifth round picks. In big time, Ways Brex and Jones, the most recent of those who had a solid four-year run before. Your guy, Darnal Mooney. Darnal Mooney. Before that, who was the running back out of who had a great fifth round tenure? Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on. From Indiana. Indiana. Indiana. Whatever. Somebody knows. Put it in the chat. Why are we blanking on his name? I missed a question. What's the question? Who was the fifth round running back that they drafted who had a great run for the bears? I didn't hear you. Howard. Yeah, there you go. So look, the bears have hit on fifth rounders. So is everybody else? You still look, it was a significant, significant need. So,

16:42I mean, this is a cost analysis situation. So, and here's Bragg's in the stands always working. Ben Johnson for Senator number one, cerebral number two talent. You guys agree with that comment from Gregory? Ben Johnson demands like a smart center. I would agree with Gregory Bragg's junior there. I just never know when he's being serious or not. So, never question Ben Johnson. This one would be not. This would be not serious. This would be probably seven drinks into whatever his day is follow up. Those drinks, by the way, could be diet, Dr. Pepper's Gregory, we miss you. Look at the crown. Yeah. This would be a lot more exciting weekend if the show that we were doing right now is if they had whatever traded for Max Crosby, signed Tyler Linderbaum, all those things. But I actually, I don't know, you have to, you got to be reasonable plays that are

17:47are that that that makes me like just further cement. I'm repeating myself over and over again, but it's just further cementing that they know what they're doing. Here's the thing, the bears had to fill this position at some point in this free agency window. Now they had to get aggressive and obviously make a trade, but you couldn't come up empty handed in free agency and maybe that was a real possibility given the the robust markets that maybe Linderbaum and the government were going to have not only robust markets and competition, but maybe the price points that Ryan Poles didn't want to pass in. If anything, like Ryan Poles has been pretty, pretty adamant about that passing certain price points for certain players, especially in certain positions. So maybe this is the situation and how it played out for the bears behind the scenes. Yeah, I'm going to reserve final judgment. So once I see what it all looks like, who's it left tackle? I do think this makes sense schematically. I think it makes sense with, you know, putting him next to Tony, who he knows. I saw Field Yates tweet that they were actually roommates on the road when they were playing

18:50together in North Carolina state. So the obviously are close and adorable, right? I mean, can you imagine like all of a sudden your college roommate just came back to work with you at CHG, that'd be sweet Kevin Grash. What's up, my brother? He's out there skateboarding in Los Angeles with a minimal life plan. Maybe we could get him back in here. That's the, you know, that's not quite the same thing, but you get the point. Let's do the play it forward here. What do you guys think is next if you had, if you had to take a stab at that? Well, you didn't spend big on, on center. So I think that opens up a whole range of different avenues probably starting with safety because you don't have a starter and free or strong safety, but at the same time, you should still be thinking past rush and defensive line up and not to mention maybe some left tackle competition. Yeah, I want to see you left tackle is I want to see a Kevin buyer deal get done. And now that you kind of know who your center will be, I imagine that that'll impact,

19:53you know, getting that deal done. And yeah, I'm going to go, I think signing Kevin buyer is important right now. Like you just lost your pro bowl center. You're about to just say goodbye to like one of your defensive captains. And you already traded DJ more. Kevin buyer might be essential to keeping that that chemistry, that everything that was built in 2025, you know, continuing into 2026. All right, there goes Adam Hogue, by the way, as he's got family waiting to go for the hockey game tonight. I'm going to sectional final basketball tonight. We will be back tonight, if they do something else, whoever can jump in. I'm out. I'm going to dinner. John's going to dinner. So like Ryan, if you could just, you know, cool it for I'll do the emergency pods. I got it from here. And hey, listen, Steven, just don't just don't do anything between the hours of six, 30 and eight. And I'll be good. But even even if

20:55even if they do, we're like doctors, we're on call here. Look, John's the on the way out here. Give it a great Garrett Bradbury to the Bears for fifth round pick in 2027. Be be you needed to fill the position. You needed to be creative if you had to be because it was a must fill. Like you can't go into the draft without a starting center. So if you felt like you could strike out a linder bomb from a govern or any other center, this seems like a more than reasonable backup plan to take action on. And you know what, he could be just as good for one or two years for the Bears. $5 super check Coleman Shelton became a decent Sarah McVeigh just saying that's true. I mean, we did, you know, hey, listen, he had a good season over there. They did well. Beat the Bears made it to the NFC championship game with good old Coleman. All right, look, not sexy. Perhaps effective. And we got roommate college love with a Hall of Famer to be. I'm in, man. I'm a believer you got me. Ben Johnson,

22:00Ryan Poles, keep it cooking. This is emergency pod has been presented by Xfinity. Imagine that we appreciate everybody who clicked on here on the Friday afternoon. John's the any final thoughts here. By the way, hit the subscribe button. Anytime news breaks, we're breaking in. So if you're not paying attention, it'll ding. So turn those notifications on. Oh my God, something's happening. We're at a hundred and six thousand and forty one right now. If you're brand new to the pod and you wouldn't have gotten this Garrett Bradbury information without it, hit that subscribe button right now. We appreciate it as we continue to grow the channel and the CHGO Bears podcast. All the bearer stuff 52 weeks out of the year. Bulls, hawks, socks, cubs, all the good things you want in your Chicago sports coverage. We appreciate anybody who's been here for more than a minute and anybody new checking it out today, hit that subscribe button. The gigaties five bucks. This tells me the Bears will draft a center and develop them behind Bradbury for a season or two. We agree with you. The gigaties that make sense.

23:02Anybody else to any other supers we miss, Steven. If not, that's all them. Okay. I appreciate Steven Nicholas. By the way, producing the program just just just just killing it on the daily here. John Z. I enjoyed this, particularly your part of it. Good to see you. I enjoy your night in my 40, 1948 glasses. I left my other ones at the office, but hey, they're getting the job done. All I Garrett Bradbury, these glasses were meant for Garrett Bradbury. I can still, I can see and it works. Bradbury, you're going to work. Hey, could be a busy weekend. Keep it, keep it locks. Gregory, have fun out there. We appreciate you too, buddy. We'll see you next time. See you. Martha listens to her favorite band all the time in the car. Jim. Even sleeping.

24:03So when they finally went on tour, Martha bundled her flight and hotel on Expedia to see them live. She saved so much. She got to see it close enough to actually see and hear them. Sort of. You were made to scream from the front row. We were made to quietly save you more. Expedia made to travel. Savings vary and subject to availability. Light inclusive packages are at all protected. Not to brag or anything, but our beast new 799 meat in three boxes kind of a big deal. The other guys give you just one side. We give you three sides. Not to brag. You get a meaty sandwich, curly fries, mutt sticks, a sweet treat, and a drink all for just 799. It's more meal for your money. More meal for your money. More meal for your money. What did I come from? Arby's. We have the meat. I'm participating Arby's for a limited time. My dog Max loves chewing on my favorite pair of shoes. Almost as much as he loves his blue buffalo life protection formula dry dog food.

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