The Chicago Bears didn’t just add a new center this offseason—they added a player who already knows exactly what he’s walking into.
And after battling Ben Johnson’s offenses for years, Garrett Bradbury says he’s more than ready to join the other side.
New Bears Center Garrett Bradbury Fired Up to Play for Ben Johnson — And Reunite With a Familiar Star
The Chicago Bears made a quiet but important move this offseason when they traded for veteran center Garrett Bradbury.
Now the former Minnesota Vikings starter is stepping into a new chapter in Chicago—and he’s already energized about what lies ahead.
For Bradbury, the excitement isn’t just about joining a new team. It’s about finally playing in an offense he used to dread facing.
And that offense belongs to Ben Johnson.
A Coach Bradbury Already Respects
During his years with the Vikings, Bradbury frequently lined up against Johnson’s Detroit Lions offenses.
From the other sideline, he quickly developed respect for the way Johnson designs his system.
Now he finally gets to be part of it.
“I’m fired up,” Bradbury said after joining the Bears. “Playing against Ben when I was in Minnesota, there are certain offenses you watch as an offensive lineman that excite you.”
Johnson’s scheme, built on physical running and aggressive play-action concepts, is exactly the kind of football Bradbury loves.
“You know what you’re going to get,” Bradbury explained. “You want to run the football and use play-action. It’s a physical brand of football, and I think everyone wants to sign up for that.”
For an offensive lineman, it’s the kind of system that lets players attack defenses instead of reacting to them.
And Bradbury sounds eager to get started.
A Familiar Division, A Familiar City
Bradbury’s move to Chicago brings him back to the NFC North, a division he knows well after spending most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings.
But the transition will feel even more comfortable than expected.
His wife was born in Naperville, Illinois, giving the family a personal connection to the Chicago area.
That added familiarity should make the adjustment easier as Bradbury settles into his new team.
Reuniting With Joe Thuney
Another reason Bradbury is excited about the move?
He’ll once again be lining up next to Joe Thuney, one of the most respected offensive linemen in the NFL.
The two were teammates at North Carolina State, where they spent two seasons together and even served as road roommates.
Now they’ll share the offensive line again in Chicago.
Bradbury couldn’t hide his admiration for Thuney’s career.
“Everyone in college knew what kind of player Joe was going to be,” he said. “Nobody was surprised by the success he’s had.”
Thuney, a former Super Bowl champion and the 2025 NFL Protector of the Year, joined the Bears after Chicago acquired him from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bradbury still finds it surprising that two different teams allowed Thuney to leave their roster.
“He’s just a special guy,” Bradbury said. “A true pro. He works incredibly hard and is as consistent as they come.”
Supporting the Bears’ Young Quarterback
One of Bradbury’s most important responsibilities will be protecting Caleb Williams, the Bears’ young franchise quarterback.
Bradbury has plenty of experience working with quarterbacks at different stages of their careers.
During his time in Minnesota, he snapped the ball to veteran Kirk Cousins for several seasons. Later he shared time with quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and most recently worked with rising star Drake Maye during a Super Bowl run in New England.
But Bradbury isn’t interested in comparing quarterbacks.
Instead, he plans to focus on helping Williams however he can.
“I want to get to know them and they want to get to know me,” Bradbury said of working with young quarterbacks.
His goal is simple: make life easier for the quarterback, not harder.
“There’s already so many people talking to quarterbacks,” Bradbury explained. “You don’t want to be another voice in their head.”
If he can offer advice or support when needed, he will—but he understands that the quarterback position already carries enormous pressure.
Veteran Leadership Arrives in Chicago
Bradbury also arrives at a moment when the Bears need veteran presence along the offensive line.
His predecessor, Drew Dalman, retired after just one season with the team at the surprisingly young age of 27.
Bradbury’s experience—including a recent trip to the Super Bowl—adds valuable leadership to the locker room.
That experience still resonates with him.
“It was unbelievable,” Bradbury said of the Super Bowl run. “You can’t put a price on that feeling.”
Though the game itself didn’t end the way his team hoped, the journey left a lasting impression.
“It felt like a dream,” he said. “Winning those playoff games and playing that deep into the season—it was something special.”
Now Bradbury hopes to bring that experience to Chicago.
And if Ben Johnson’s offense works the way he expects, the Bears may finally be building the kind of physical identity their offensive line has been waiting for.
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