CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears apparently won’t have quarterback competition. That job belongs to Andy Dalton.
The former QB from Cincinnati and Dallas said he is confident that the first place belongs to him and that he will 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. So every conversation I’ve had has been, so that’s the assurance I’ve gotten. ‘
Three-time Pro Bowler Dalton agreed on a one-year $ 10 million deal on Tuesday. He can earn an additional $ 3 million in bonuses.
Dalton’s arrival is a big disappointment to fans hoping the Bears will make a blockbuster deal with Seattle for Russell Wilson. He is aware that the reception he gets is about as warm as a Chicago winter.
“Of course I know there’s been a lot of talk, but I’m coming in from the outside,” Dalton said. ‘A lot of people don’t know much about me and will learn a lot about me while I’m here. That’s all I worry about and so I’m here now.
“Hopefully everyone will have a chance to see who I am as a player, as a person, to see what we can do with this organization. I’m excited about the opportunity. Obviously there’s been a lot of talk, but I’m not worried about that. . “
Dalton said he was “in constant contact with everyone” while the Bears tried to get hold of 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 didn’t and this worked for both of us to come together and for me to be part of this team, I was ecstatic because I hoped that would be the case,” he said. “I knew everything that was going on.”
Dalton has thrown for 33,764 yards, 218 touchdowns, and 126 interceptions over nine seasons with Cincinnati and one with Dallas. He led the Bengals to the playoffs in his first five seasons after removing him from TCU in the second round of 2011, but never winning a postseason game.
He made it to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2014 and 2016. He set several passing records for Bengal, but in more recent years the line of attack has deteriorated. So did the cast around him. His results also suffered, and the Bengals released him in late April after drafting Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick.
Dalton then signed with Dallas as a backup in early May. He finished playing in 11 games and making nine starts, with Dak Prescott sustaining an ankle injury in week 5 that ended the season. The Cowboys finished 6-10 and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Dalton suffered a concussion and COVID-19 last season. Now, at the age of 33, he is getting a fresh start in Chicago.
The Bears, who made it to the playoffs at 8-8 last season, are essentially starting over in a position that has historically been a painful place for the franchise.
Mitchell Trubisky should be the answer when general manager Ryan Pace traded in a spot to draft him with the # 2 overall pick in 2017. But he didn’t develop as the Bears hoped.
They declined Trubisky’s 2021 option ahead of last season and took over Foles from Jacksonville to push their once-esteemed QB. Trubisky was banked in week 3, returned to the lineup in week 12, and agreed on a one-year deal with Buffalo on Thursday to support Josh Allen. Foles struggled in his seven starts last season.
Dalton said he is looking forward to working with coach Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the Cincinnati quarterbacks coach in 2016 and offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.
Dalton said he has spoken to several new teammates, but not star receiver Allen Robinson. The Bears applied the franchise tag last week, and Allen signed the tender on 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 get divorced, he’s a complete receiver,” said Dalton. ‘He can do it all. You like to see that. ‘
Dalton also said he would have “no problem” if the Bears drafted a quarterback and that he would be a willing mentor.
“I think that’s a little bit part of it,” he said. “I’ve been the starter and helped backup throughout my career. I think this is what you can do to help the next man.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.