CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears will apparently have no quarterback competition. This job belongs to Andy Dalton.
The former Cincinnati and Dallas QB said he was assured that first place is his and that he will not compete with veteran Nick Foles.
“I was told it was the headline,” Dalton said Thursday. “That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here. So every conversation I’ve had has been like this, so that’s the security I’ve got.”
Dalton, a three-time Pro Bowler, on Tuesday agreed to a $ 10 million one-year deal. You can earn an additional $ 3 million in bonds.
The arrival of Dalton is a big disappointment for fans expecting the bears to be highlighted with Seattle by Russell Wilson. He is aware that the reception he receives is as warm as a Chicago winter.
“Viouslybviament I know there’s been a lot of talk, but I come from 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’m worried about, and so I’m here now.
“I 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 don’t care about anything. of that “.
Dalton said he was in “constant contact with everyone” as the Bears tried to acquire Wilson from the Seahawks. And he got excited when it became clear that there would be no trade, because he wanted to come to Chicago.
“When it wasn’t happening and that worked for both of us to come together and I was part of that team, I was ecstatic because I hoped it was going to be the case,” he said. “I knew everything that was going on.”
Dalton has thrown 33,764 yards, 218 touchdowns and 126 interceptions in nine seasons with Cincinnati and one with Dallas. He led the Bengals to the playoffs his first five seasons after retiring from TCU in the second round in 2011, but never won a postseason game.
He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and in 2014 and 2016. He set several Bengal records by 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 drafting Joe Burrow with the No. 1 general election.
Dalton then signed with Dallas as a backup in early May. He ended up playing in 11 games and started nine games with Dak Prescott who suffered 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 dealt with a concussion and COVID-19 last season. Now 33, he is back in Chicago.
The Bears, who reached the playoffs 8-8 last season, are essentially starting again in a position that has historically been a painful point for the franchise.
Mitchell Trubisky was supposed to be the solution when general manager Ryan Pace changed a position to incorporate him with the No. 2 general team in 2017. But he didn’t develop the way the Bears expected.
They turned down Trubisky’s option for 2021 before last season and acquired Jacksonville Foles to boost their prized QB. Trubisky retired in Week 3, returned to training in Week 12 and agreed on a one-year deal with Buffalo on Thursday to make a backup of Josh Allen. Foles fought in his seven starts last season.
Dalton said he hopes to look forward to working with coach Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, Cincinnati quarterbacks coach in 2016 and offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018.
Dalton said he has spoken with several new teammates, though not with star receiver Allen Robinson. The Bears applied the franchise label last week and Allen signed the bid Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“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. “You can do it all. You love to see that.”
Dalton also said he would have “no problem” with the Bears drafting a quarterback and would be a willing mentor.
“I think that’s a part,” he said. “I’ve been the starter and helped make the backup throughout my career. I think that’s what you can do to help the next guy.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.