Bears Again Placing Their Faith In Andy Dalton

The Chicago Bears are clinging to playoff hopes with a 4-7 record.

The team was able to snap a five-game losing streak against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, even if it was by a slim 16-14 margin.

That win came with Andy Dalton at quarterback as Justin Fields was dealing with a rib injury.

Dalton got the win, Matt Nagy didn’t get fired, and the Bears still have some playoff hopes and dreams.

But the test gets tougher this week against the 9-2 Arizona Cardinals, regardless if Kyler Murray is under center or not.

But any Bears fans hoping Fields could return will be disappointed by the news that came out Friday.

Andy Dalton will start at QB for the Bears on Sunday, while Nick Foles will serve as the back-up.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 3, 2021

Dalton is starting again as he tries to save jobs both on the sidelines and in the front office.

A Tough QB Situation

The saving grace for Nagy this year would be if Fields showed progression.

Even if the Bears miss the postseason, which seems like a given, Fields getting better from week to week would give Nagy a reason to coach the team again in 2022.

But if Dalton is their quarterback then all that evaluation goes out the window.

And let’s say the Bears lose with Dalton against the Cardinals.

Where does that leave Nagy and the team at 4-8?

It may then be foolish to rush Fields back with his rib injury, while finding motivation would be tough in general for everyone on the roster.

Bears QB Justin Fields is officially doubtful to play Sunday. It's Andy Dalton's show.

Allen Robinson is also doubtful. Roquan Smith is listed as questionable.

— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) December 3, 2021

This team already dealt with serious rumors of Nagy being fired during the holidays.

If those rumors existed in the first place, there must be some truth to them.

Dalton can save the day by taking down the Cardinals and setting up hope of a magical run to claim one of the final Wild Card spots in the NFC.

But unless that miracle happens, the Bears remain in bad shape.