The Chicago Bears agreed to a deal with free agent (and former Dallas Cowboys) quarterback Andy Dalton.
Former Cowboys' QB Andy Dalton is signing a one-year, $10 million deal, with the chance to earn another $3 million in incentives, with the Chicago Bears, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
Many are shaking their heads about this move given the Bears confusing quarterback situation.
I'm angry about the Bears signing Andy Dalton. This guy Ryan Pace should be fired if this is all he can do. He and Matt Nagy have led the Chicago Bears to ruin. pic.twitter.com/WDsyW0OhV7
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) March 16, 2021
Was Andy Dalton the best choice for the Bears?
The answer is no, and here is why.
Chicago Bears Quarterback Room Is Full Of Backups
Last season, the Bears were on a merry go round with their starting quarterbacks.
Mitch Trubisky, who is also a free agent in 2021, started the season and was ultimately benched for Nick Foles.
Collectively, the Trubisky/Foles tag team led the Bears to an 8-8 record.
Trubisky had a 6-3 record and threw for 2,055 yards.
He also had 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
Foles had a 2-5 record and threw for 1,852 yards.
He added 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
There is an argument for looking past the wins and losses and seeing which quarterback faced a higher caliber of opponents.
Four of Trubisky wins came against the Lions, Giants, Texans, and Jaguars.
Foles lost to the Chargers, Colts, Saints, and Titans.
Regardless of how you look at it, the quarterback position was a disaster for the Bears in 2020.
Leadership from a solid and consistent starter is needed for 2021.
Signing Andy Dalton just adds another backup quarterback into the mix.
Dalton’s Stats in 2020
For the purpose of argument, we could say that Andy Dalton has been a starting quarterback and did come in as the starter when Dak Prescott got injured in 2020.
Dalton’s stats in 2020 are eerily similar to Trubisky and Foles.
He had a 4-5 record and threw for 2,170 yards.
Dalton had 14 touchdown passes and 8 interceptions.
Andy Dalton, 33, has not played a full 16 game season since 2017 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
He is an adequate backup quarterback at best in this stage of his career.
The Bears Overpaid Dalton Also.
Dalton’s base salary in 2020 with the Cowboys was $3 million.
There were incentives also, but the idea that he is getting paid $10 million by the Bears for 2021 is mind-blowing.
Is Andy Dalton intended to replace Mitch Trubisky?
Trubisky earned just under $9 million in 2020 in the final year of his four year deal with the Bears; he was the team’s first round draft pick in 2017.
Foles is due to be paid $6.6 million in 2021.
Dalton is the highest paid, but for what exactly?
There Must Be Method To The Madness.
"Being involved in the Russell Wilson discussions & settling for Andy Dalton is promising your kids a vacation to Hawaii & settling for a weekend at a state park." — @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/aXPctqB6rp
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) March 16, 2021
Dalton’s signing must mean the Trubisky era is definitely over.
Chicago Bears Coach Matt Nagy is viewed as an esteemed offensive mind among his NFL peers.
He must have a plan that will later reveal itself.
There were rumors that the Bears were all-in on trying to get Russell Wilson.
What happened to that plan?
Perhaps he is drafting a quarterback whom Foles and Dalton will mentor?
Maybe he is fostering a quarterback competition when camp rolls around?
It is anyone’s guess right now, but at the moment the signing of Andy Dalton seems like another misstep in the Chicago Bears quest to find their franchise starting quarterback.
NEXT: The Chicago Bears Are Throwing A Hail Mary For Russell Wilson
