SALINAS — Chicago Bears All-Pro center Drew Dalman, who starred at Palma High in 2016, has reportedly informed the Chicago Bears that he will be retiring from the National Football League at the age of 27.
Dalman, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears last year after four seasons in Atlanta, has two years and $24 million remaining on the deal, including a $9.5 signing bonus.
“I was just as surprised as anyone else,” Palma coach Jeff Carnazzo said. “This came out of nowhere. What I do know is Drew is a smart kid. He’s set himself up nicely with his education. That’s always been first for him. It’s not just about football.”
Coming off arguably his best season in the NFL, no reason was given for the 6-foot-3, 300-pounder’s decision to leave the game at the height of his career.
The 2017 Palma graduate was unavailable for comment following the decision. His father, former 49ers center and Palma president Chris Dalman, did not want to speak for his son.
Neither Dalman or the Bears released a statement on his decision.
Dalman allowed just one sack and 21 pressures last fall in helping revamp the Bears’ offensive line that went from allowing 68 sacks in 2024 to 24 last year, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
The Bears won the NFC North last season with an 11-6 record, reaching the playoffs for the first time in five years, beating the rival Packers in the wild-card game before falling to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional playoffs.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams responded to the stunning announcement by Dalman by simply tweeting “Hulk.”
“He’s a private person,” Carnazzo said. “I’ve always respected him for that. I’m sure he has his reasons. I don’t want to speculate.”
The Herald’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2016, Dalman also anchored a Palma offensive line that reached the Northern California 4AA playoffs before falling to Campolindo.
Dalman was drafted in the fourth round by the Falcons in 2021 after earning All-Pac 12 honors at Stanford as a redshirt junior, becoming a starter for Atlanta in his second season.
Overcoming a series of high ankle sprains in his final season in Atlanta, Dalman played in all 17 regular season games last fall for the Bears and their two postseason contests, putting together a Pro Bowl season.
