Garrett Bradbury will likely play just one season for the Chicago Bears. This isn’t a long-term fix, even if some fans assumed the team signed him for that reason. The reality? The Bears have already picked their future center. Logan Jones was the top choice at the position during the recent NFL Draft. Any team selected him as the initial center available. This specific draft pick changes the entire landscape for Bradbury’s time in Chicago.
The Draft Choice That Sealed the Deal
Drew Dalman retired in the spring and left a huge hole on the line. The Bears needed a smart player to make calls right away. They found that player in Bradbury when he arrived from New England. He can handle the role until the rookie is ready to step up. However, the selection of Logan Jones makes Bradbury a temporary solution. Windy City Gridiron reports that Bradbury will almost certainly be allowed to walk once his contract expires. The plan is to fully pivot to Jones in 2027. The only question left is who starts the bulk of games in 2026.
Jones is an experienced college player with many accolades to his name. He has earned every honor that a top college player can get. It’s hard to look at Jones and think he will fail at the NFL level. The Bears expect him to be a functional center from day one. He doesn’t need to fail before the team considers anyone else. Fans and media don’t expect him to struggle either. This high bar means Bradbury must prove he is better than Jones right now. That’s a tough job for a veteran on a short leash.
A Stopgap for Ben Johnson’s Offense
The move to bring in Bradbury was a necessity for the offense. Ben Johnson needs a reliable center to run his system. The team had uncertainty at a critical position before the trade. Bradbury can do that role decently until the rookie takes over. Whether Jones is ready in August or November remains to be seen. The timeline for the handover is the only variable left. The Bears had to make this move to avoid a disaster at the line.
Bradbury isn’t a long-term answer for the Monsters of the Midway. He’s a bridge to the future. The front office knows the timeline better than anyone. They won’t hold onto Bradbury if Jones shows promise early. Training camp will decide the starter for the 2026 season. The coaches will watch both players closely. The decision on who starts will come down to performance. The Bears aren’t looking to stash Bradbury. They’re looking to slash his time and move forward.
What Fans Should Watch in Camp
The upcoming weeks will tell the whole story. Bradbury has to show he’s the better option right now. If Jones looks ready early, Bradbury’s days are numbered. The Bears won’t keep a veteran if a rookie can play. This is a clear case of cash, stash, or slash. Bradbury falls into the slash category. The team will save his salary cap space for next year. They’ll find a new player to fill the void if needed. The focus is entirely on the future with Jones.
This situation highlights how quickly the NFL changes. A player can be a starter one year and a stopgap the next. The Bears made their choice clear with the draft pick. Bradbury knows he’s on borrowed time. The clock starts ticking as soon as camp opens. Fans should watch the practice field closely. The starter for the season will be decided there. The Bears are betting big on their young talent. Bradbury is just the placeholder until that bet pays off.
