CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears will apparently not have a quarterback competition. The work belongs to Andy Dalton.
The former QC of Cincinnati and Dallas said he was assured the first place was his and that he would not compete with veteran Nick Foles.
“They told me I was the starter,” Dalton said Thursday. “That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here. Every conversation I had was that, so that’s the assurance I got.”
Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowler, on Tuesday agreed to a $ 10 million one-year deal. He could earn an additional $ 3 million bonus.
The arrival of Dalton is a big disappointment for fans hoping the Bears will bring a quick trade with Seattle for Russell Wilson. He’s aware the reception he’s getting is about as hot as a winter in Chicago.
“Of course I know there’s a lot of talk, but I’m coming in from the outside,” Dalton said. “A lot of people do not know much about me and will learn a lot about me while I’m here. That’s all I worry about, and I’m here now.
“Hopefully everyone gets a chance to see who I am as a player, as a person, to see what we’re going to be able to do with this organization. I’m excited about the opportunity. . ‘
Dalton said he was “constantly in touch with everyone” when the Bears wanted to get Wilson from the Seahawks. And he rejoiced when it became clear that there would be no trade, because he wanted to come to Chicago.
“When that didn’t happen and it worked out for both of us to get together and for me to be part of this team, I was in ecstasy because I was hoping that would be the case,” he said. “I knew everything that was going on.”
Dalton threw 33 764 yards, 218 touchdowns and 126 distinctions with Cincinnati and one with Dallas over nine seasons. He led the Bengals his first five seasons to the play-offs after they drafted him in the second round of TCU in 2011 but never won a post-season game.
He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and in 2014 and 2016. He drafted several Bengals, but in recent years the offensive line has deteriorated. So too the cast around him. His results also suffered, and the Bengals released him in late April after ranking Joe Burrow as the overall number one.
Dalton then signed with Dallas in early May as backup. He played in 11 games and started nine times with Dak Prescott suffering a single injury in Week 5. The Cowboys finished 6-10 and missed the playoff game for the second consecutive year.
Dalton suffered a concussion and COVID-19 last season. Now, at 33, he’s getting a fresh start in Chicago again.
The Bears, who reached the playoffs last season at 8-8, are essentially starting again at a position that has historically been a sore spot for the franchise.
Mitchell Trubisky was supposed to be the solution when general manager Ryan Pace swapped a spot to set him up with the overall number 2 in 2017. But he did not develop as the Bears had hoped.
They turned down Trubisky’s option for 2021 before last season and acquired Jackson’s Foles to pursue their once-valued QB. Trubisky was placed on the bench in Week 3, returned in Week 12 and agreed Thursday to support a one-year deal with Buffalo to support Josh Allen. Foles started struggling in his seven last season.
Dalton said he looks forward to working with coach Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the coach of Cincinnati in 2016, and the offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.
Dalton said he has spoken to several new teammates, though not star receiver Allen Robinson. The Bears applied the franchise label last week, and Allen signed the tender Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“He can do so much, he’s as good as the ball is in the air, he can divorce, he’s a complete receiver,” Dalton said. “He can do it all. You like to see it. ‘
Dalton also said he will have “no problem” with setting up a quarterback in the Bears and that he will be a willing mentor.
“I think it’s part of it,” he said. “I was the starter and helped the backup during my career. I think that’s what you can do to help the next man.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.