The Patriots are trading starting center Garrett Bradbury to the Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick, a source confirmed to the Herald.
The deal will be processed at the start of the NFL’s new league year Wednesday.
Including the playoffs, Bradbury started all 21 games and logged more than 1,300 offensive snaps during his only season in New England. He was well-liked and well-respected in the Patriots’ locker room. On the field, Bradbury was surprisingly solid in pass protection, a weak spot during his final seasons with the Vikings.
He originally signed as a free agent last year following his release in Minnesota, where he spent the first six years of his career. Bradbury’s exit means the Pats will be in the market either for a new starter at center or left guard this offseason. Jared Wilson, a career college center, played left guard as a rookie last year.
Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine last week that the team was in the process of deciding which position to play Wilson next season, something coach Mike Vrabel echoed in his own press conference.
“We’re going to try to put our players in the best situation for them,” Vrabel said. “And sometimes we also ask them to maybe do what’s best for the football team in order to get the best five (linemen) or in order to get the best three receivers, or in order to get the best D-line combination. So, that’s what we’ll continue to do. Jared worked in both positions. We asked him to prepare as a starter each week at center, even though he didn’t have to. So I’m sure that he’ll do the same thing when we start April 20.”
Alijah Vera-Tucker, Joel Bitonio and David Edwards are among the top left guards expected to be available in free agency. Ravens veteran Tyler Linderbaum is the best free-agent center. His next contract could clear more than $20 million annually. Ex-Bills offensive lineman Connor McGovern is the next best center available, followed by a smattering of journeymen and/or backup-caliber players.
ESPN first reported news of Bradbury’s trade.