‘Complete Quarterback’ – Bears GM Heaps Praise on First-Choice Starter Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton played backup to Dak Prescott for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. The former Cincinnati Bengals man penned a one-year deal with the arrival of coach Mike McCarthy in Texas. A season-ending injury to Dak in Week 5, thrust Dalton back in the middle. He made 9 starts, but could only manage a 4-5 record, throwing for 2,170 yards with 14 passing TDs against 8 interceptions.

The Chicago Bears were on the hunt for a big-name quarterback after waiving Mitchell Trubisky. They reportedly failed with a bid for unsettled Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson. Eventually, the Bears signed Andy Dalton to a one-year deal worth $10 million ($13 million, including bonuses).

ALSO READ – NFL Insider Claims Mac Jones is Good Enough to Go at Number 3 to the 49ers

Andy Dalton confirmed as the first-choice starter for the Chicago Bears

The atmosphere in Chicago was not exactly at its best after GM Ryan Pace brought in Andy Dalton as the Bears’ fans wanted their organization to trade up and bring in a young quarterback, someone for the future.

But despite the initial backlash, Pace is confident that Dalton is the man for the job, well at least now.

He said, “We’re excited to have him. Again that went into the evaluation process. He’s been a starter in the league for a long time and produced at a high level for a long time…he’s our starting quarterback as we head into the season.”

“The things we like as you look at it, obviously his experience, he’s a nine-year starter. He’s been to three Pro Bowls, a lot of leadership with Andy Dalton. Decision-making, we like his decision-making. He’s won a lot of games in this league and he’s been a durable player, too. I think that’s something that’s understated.”

“I think, really, Andy fits our style of offense. You go through it with our scouts and coaches. He can handle the drop-back game, he can handle the RPOs, the play-actions, the movements…he’s one of the more complete quarterbacks that we evaluated in free agency and we’re excited to have him,” Pace said earlier today via NFL Network.

33-year-old Andy Dalton is will serve as a stop-gap solution at quarterback for the Bears. Coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace know that they will need to fill in that position, probably in 2022. But for now, Nick Foles and Andy Dalton are the two experienced veterans in charge of leading the Bears in 2021.

ALSO READ – ‘Fun Battle’- Taylor Heinicke Eager to Compete with Ryan Fitzpatrick for Starting Spot