March 15, 2021 – Earlier today on the NFL Network, Ian Rapoport reported that the Chicago Bears were one of two teams that showed “significant” interest in free agent Andy Dalton’s quarterback, but he said the Bears are interested in all available quarterbacks, so I dismissed it just like the usual buzz from a free agency.
But just a few moments ago, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs tweeted that “the next QB domino to fall could be Andy Dalton, and a league source said he believes the Red Rifle could go to the Bears”.
Biggs, who has covered the Bears for years, has been hitting the nail on the head lately, so if he’s putting it out there is a report, I believe. Biggs also reported this evening that his sources told him that the Bears are still in a possible negotiation with Russell Wilson.
Whether Dalton’s addition will materialize or not remains to be seen, but with Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick signing new deals, the Bears may want to ensure that they have a veteran with initial experience in their back pocket while they still negotiate with Seattle. Seahawks on Wilson.
The only novelty in this situation is that Seattle may have a plan B ready if they negotiate with Wilson. According to a Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, the Seahawks may be interested in Sam Darnold of the New York Jets. It was reported that Seattle’s head coach, Pete Carroll, really likes Darnold, and he has been quoted talking about him in the past.
If the Bears sign with Dalton, it would not necessarily mean that they have finished adding in the position, as he could be signing as safe if the Seahawk negotiations continue to drag on, and also if they could not update until the draft weekend. .
Current Bears QB Nick Foles was connected as a possibility in an exchange with the Broncos to help Drew Lock’s mentor, so if he is negotiated, there will be a spot for a vet in the Bears’ QB room.
The Chicago quarterback’s situation is fluid, and while the Bears are keeping all options open, they also understand how critical it is to improve in position.
Dalton would not be a significant enough improvement for trainer Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace to take to the McCaskey family.
March 16, 2021 – UDPATED: Biggs was on the scoreboard on Tuesday morning and he clarified a few things about Dalton’s situation and also sent the following Tweet.
Let’s see what happens.
3 things to remember:
1) Many people have used Bears in QB conversations (see the Wentz situation)
2) Adding Dalton would not stop them from trading for a QB
3) In the absence of an extremely expensive trade, there is not a great option out there
– Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 16, 2021
Biggs said a guy on the front of another team was the one who gave him the Dalton “could be” directed at the Bears business, so maybe it was Dalton’s people spreading the rumor to boost his market. Everyone knows that the Bears are desperate for a QB, so getting this conversation started makes sense from Dalton’s point of view.
But if the Dalton thing had legs, Biggs said he wouldn’t necessarily be the Bears just adding in the position.
Biggs also said the Bears are looking to add a better tackle to go along with a new QB, but he wasn’t sure if it would be Trent Williams.
He said negotiating with Bellows would be difficult based on his contract.