CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears apparently will not have a quarterback competition. This work belongs to Andy Dalton.
The former Cincinnati and Dallas QB said it was guaranteed that the first place is his and that he will not compete with veteran Nick Foles.
“They told me I was the starter,” said Dalton on Thursday. “That was one of the reasons why I wanted to come here. So, all the conversations I had were like that, that’s the guarantee I received.”
Three times as a Bowler, Dalton agreed on Tuesday to a $ 10 million contract for a year. He can earn an additional $ 3 million in bonuses.
Dalton’s arrival is a major disappointment for fans who expect the Bears to make a successful exchange with Seattle for Russell Wilson. He is aware that the reception he is receiving is as warm as the Chicago winter.
“Obviously, I know there has been a lot of talk, but I’m coming from outside,” said Dalton. “Many people do not know much about me and will learn a lot about me while I am here. That is all that concerns me and therefore I am here now.
“I hope that everyone will have a chance to see who I am as a player, as a person, to see what we will be able to do with this organization. I am excited about the opportunity. Obviously, there has been a lot of talk, but I am not worried about any of that. “
Dalton said he was in “constant contact with everyone” while the Bears were trying to acquire Wilson from the Seahawks. And he was thrilled when it became clear that there would be no trade, because he wanted to come to Chicago.
“When it wasn’t happening and it worked for both of us to come together and for me to be part of this team, I was ecstatic because I hoped that was the case,” he said. “I knew everything that was going on.”
Dalton launched 33,764 yards, 218 touchdowns and 126 interceptions over nine seasons with Cincinnati and one with Dallas. He took Bengals to the playoffs in his first five seasons, after being removed from TCU in the second round in 2011, but never won a post-season game.
He did the Pro Bowl as a rookie and in 2014 and 2016. He set several passing records in Bengals, but in recent years, the offensive line has deteriorated. The same happened with the cast around you. His results were also hampered, and the Bengals released him in late April, after summoning Joe Burrow with number one overall choice.
Dalton then signed with Dallas as a reserve in early May. He ended up playing 11 games and made nine games, with Dak Prescott suffering an ankle injury at the end of the season in week 5. The Cowboys finished 6-10 and lost the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Dalton dealt with a concussion and COVID-19 last season. Now, at 33, he starts again in Chicago.
The Bears, who made the playoffs at 8-8 last season, are essentially starting again in 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 vacancies to cast him as the second general choice in 2017. But he didn’t develop the way the Bears expected.
They declined Trubisky’s option for 2021 before last season and acquired Jacksonville Bellows to promote their once award-winning QB. Trubisky was eliminated in week 3, returned to the roster in week 12 and agreed on Thursday to a one-year contract with Buffalo to support Josh Allen. Bellows fought in his seven games last season.
Dalton said he is looking forward to working with coach Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, coach of Cincinnati defenders in 2016 and offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.
Dalton said he spoke with several new teammates, but not with receiver Allen Robinson. The Bears applied the franchise brand last week, and Allen signed the contest on Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“He can do so much, he is so good when the ball is in the air, he can separate, he is a complete receiver,” said Dalton. “He can do anything. You love to see that.”
Dalton also said he would have “no problem” with the Bears hiring a quarterback and would be a willing mentor.
“I think that’s part of it,” he said. “I was the incumbent and helped support throughout my career. I think that’s what you can do to help others.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.