The Chicago Bears and quarterback Andy Dalton agreed to a one-year, $ 10 million contract, with the chance that the quarterback would win another $ 3 million in incentives, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Chicago made “a very aggressive pursuit” of Seahawks QB Russel Wilson, the sources said, but the Bears have been informed that Seattle is not negotiating him at this time.
The Bears were one of four teams that Wilson’s agent was named as a place of interest.
Dalton, 33, spent 2020 with the Dallas Cowboys after a nine-year stint as a Cincinnati Bengals starter.
Signed as a backup, Dalton was pressed for duty when Cowboys holder Dak Prescott suffered a dislocation and exposed fracture of his right ankle in Week 5 against the New York Giants.
In nine matches (11 appearances), Dalton had a 4-5 record, throwing 2,170 yards and 14 touchdowns, with 8 interceptions. He had his best showing in his week 16 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, shooting for 377 yards and three goals.
Dalton had his own health problems during the season, losing a game after suffering a concussion against the Washington Football Team. The following week, he was placed on the reserve list / COVID-19.
At the end of the season, Dalton said his hope was to find a spot as a starter and coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said he showed enough to justify the teams’ consideration.
He has that chance in Chicago. Although the Bears made the postseason with an 8-8 mark, the team had an uninspired game in the quarterback, as Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky had the opportunity to start.
Trubisky is now a free agent after Chicago decided not to choose its fifth year option in second overall position before last season. Bellows remains in the squad of the team.
After the Bengals selected Joe Burrow as the No. 1 overall choice in the 2020 NFL draft, Dalton became expendable and was released by Cincinnati. He posted a 74-66-2 record as a Bengals starter, taking the franchise to the playoffs five times, but without winning a postseason game. He has also been nominated for the Pro Bowl three times.
ESPN’s Todd Archer contributed to this report.