Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman. Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Bears' Drew Dalman points finger on botched snaps with Caleb Williams

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 8:58 PM ET

The Chicago Bears should feel good on Sunday after winning a fourth consecutive game. The Bears defeated the New Orleans Saints, 26-14, in front of 58,102 fans at Soldier Field to improve to 4-2 on the season.

The Bears raced out to a 20-0 lead but let the Saints back into the game in the third quarter. Mistakes by the offense and defense allowed New Orleans to cut the lead to 20-14, but Chicago managed two field goals in the second half to put the Saints away.

The Bears offense got the running game going, as D’Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. Chicago recorded 222 rushing yards, with 81 coming from rookie Kyle Monangai.

The passing game left much to be desired. Caleb Williams went 15-of-26 for 172 yards and one interception. In his postgame news conference, head coach Ben Johnson noted his concern about the efficiency of the passing game.

Drew Dalman had a bad game

Drew Dalman blocks against Luke Newman at Chicago Bears training camp. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Williams and the offensive line were out of rhythm throughout the contest. Center Drew Dalman botched a pair of snaps, including on a 4th-and-1 play in the red zone in the third quarter that resulted in a false start, prompting Chicago to kick a field goal to make it a 23-14 game.

third down and Drew Dalman just… doesn't give Caleb Williams the ball pic.twitter.com/9Y8Kj4NifZ

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 19, 2025

Per Zack Pearson of Bear Report, Dalman pointed the finger at himself for the bad center-quarterback exchange.

“Bears center Drew Dalman says the snap issues were 100% on him today,” Pearson posted no X. “Said he wasn’t on the right cadence.”

#Bears center Drew Dalman says the snap issues were 100% on him today. Said he wasn’t on the right cadence.

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) October 19, 2025

The Bears gave Dalman a three-year, $42M contract to avoid issues like that at center. Unfortunately, Dalman has been making mistakes almost every game this season.

Bears have much to clean up in Week 8

Drew Dalman at Chicago Bears training camp. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The cadence was an issue in training camp. It’s an ugly problem in the regular season for a Bears team that looks like a contender for a wild-card spot in the NFC.

Chicago has plenty to clean up before playing the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. The Bears were penalized 10 times for 92 yards.

Fortunately for Chicago, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had his unit ready to play the team that fired him as head coach last season. The Bears won the turnover battle, 4-1, and lead the league in takeaways with 15 takeaways through six games.