Andy Dalton signed the starting lineup for the Chicago Bears. However, the marriage only took place after the club hit a more teasing partner.
The Bears took a turn to acquire star quarterback Russell Wilson in a prospective trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Chicago is coming up empty.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport Wednesday reported Good morning football that Ryan Pace, GM Bears, and John Schneider, head of the Seahawks, met in Fargo, North Dakota, presumably after attending Trey Lance’s pro day, and discussing a possible exchange for the disgruntled QB.
“They talked, offers were exchanged,” Rapoport said. “The Bears definitely made a great offer – selected several first rounds. The Seahawks slept on it. They discussed it. Yesterday they decided, specifically the coach, Pete Carroll, 70 years old, does not want to rebuild, and decided we are not trading Russell Wilson to the Bears. ‘
Only after the Seahawks made it clear they were not trading with Wilson did the Bears move to record Dalton as a stand-in.
This is the type of drama that can be the first act of a hit-rom-com.
How the side moves from here will tell the rest of the story.
The Seahawks, who apparently decide they will not trade Wilson at all, must now work to restore the relationship with the QB who want a greater say in the offense and are tried in the decision-making chambers.
The Bears are moving forward with Dalton because he knows the club has a bigger price in mind. Dalton’s one-year deal also underscores that the endless search for a long-term franchise quarter in Chicago is unresolved. Unsaid is the likely reality that the Bears do not have enough capital to lure the Seahawks to really consider trading their zodiac sign.
At least this time, Bears fans can’t blame Pace for not firing his shot at trying to get Wilson.