CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears look like they won’t have a quarterback competition. This post belongs to Andy Dalton.
The former Cincinnati and Dallas QB said he was assured that the first place is his and that he will not compete with veteran Nick Foles.
“They told me I was a beginner,” Dalton said Thursday. “That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here. So every conversation I had was that, so that’s the assurance I got.”
Three-time Pro Bowler, Dalton agreed on Tuesday to a $ 10 million a year deal. Can win additional bonuses of $ 3 million.
Dalton’s arrival is a big disappointment for fans who hope the Bears will make a successful Seattle deal for Russell Wilson. He is aware that the reception he receives is about as warm as a winter in Chicago.
“Obviously I know a lot has been said, but I’m coming from outside,” Dalton said. “A lot of people don’t know a lot about me and they will learn a lot about me while I’m here. That’s all I’m worried about, so I’m here now.
“We hope everyone has 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 any of that.”
Dalton said he was in “constant contact with everyone,” while the Bears tried to buy Wilson from the Seahawks. And he was thrilled when it became clear that there would be no exchange, because he wanted to come to Chicago.
“When it didn’t happen and it worked for both of us to get together and for me to be part of this team, I was ecstatic because I hoped it would be the case,” he said. “I knew everything that was going on.”
Dalton threw 33,764 yards, 218 touchdowns and 126 interceptions in nine seasons with Cincinnati and one with Dallas. He led the Bengals to the playoffs of his first five seasons after retiring from TCU in the second round in 2011, but never won a post-season game.
He made the Pro Bowl as a novice in 2014 and 2016. He set several Bengals breaking records, but in recent years, the offensive line has deteriorated. So did the cast around him. His results also suffered, and the Bengals released him in late April, after electing Joe Burrow with general election no.
Dalton then signed with Dallas as a backup in early May. He finished in 11 games and made nine starts with Dak Prescott suffering an ankle injury at the end of the season in week 5. 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 33, he gets a fresh start 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 painful place for the franchise.
Mitchell Trubisky should have been the solution when CEO Ryan Pace changed places to include him in general election no. 2 in 2017. But he did not develop the way the Bears hoped.
They turned down the Trubisky option for 2021 before last season and bought Foles from Jacksonville to push their once-appreciated QB. Trubisky rose in week 3, returned to the line in week 12 and agreed on Thursday to sign a one-year deal with Buffalo to support Josh Allen. Foles fought in his seven starts last season.
Dalton said he is looking forward to working with coach Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, Cincinnati quarterback coach in 2016 and offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.
Dalton said he spoke with several new teammates, though not with star receiver Allen Robinson. The Bears applied the franchise label last week, and Allen signed the auction on Thursday, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.
“He can do so much, he’s so good when the ball is in the air, he can separate, he’s a complete receiver,” Dalton said. “He can do anything. You like to see that.”
Dalton also said he will have “no problem” with the bears developing a defender and will be a willing mentor.
“I think that’s part of it,” he said. “I was the initiator and helped with the reserve throughout my career. I think that’s what you can do to help the next guy.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.