USA Today via Reuters
Dec 8, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) celebrates with quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 8, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) celebrates with quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Former Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton was a free agent heading into the 2021 NFL season. But he was snapped up by NFC North franchise Chicago Bears earlier this week on a 1-year contract worth $10,000,000, including $13,000,000 in incentives.
The Texas-born quarterback featured in 11 games for the Cowboys last season after starting QB Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending double compound fracture in Week 5.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) scrambles out of the pocket against New York Giants defensive end B.J. Hill (95) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
He finished with a 4-5 record, throwing for 2,170 yards with 14 passing touchdowns against 8 interceptions in 2020. Now, he will reportedly compete with Super Bowl-winning quarterback Nick Foles for a starting spot in Chicago.
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Andy Dalton expects to be a first-choice starter for the Chicago Bears
New Bears QB Andy Dalton: “They told me I was the starter. That was one of the reasons why I wanted to come here.” pic.twitter.com/SIKIGZWxs1
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) March 18, 2021
Despite rumors linking the Matt Nagy-coached Chicago Bears to Russell Wilson, they brought in free agent Andy Dalton this week. The 2011 2nd-round pick is a 3-time Pro Bowler.
With Mitchell Trubisky out of the picture in Chicago and Foles failing to convince Nagy last season, Dalton is expected to be a first-choice starter for the Bears when the season starts in September.
“They told me I was the starter. That was one of the reasons why I wanted to come here,” Dalton said earlier today.
Andy Dalton will turn 33 in October. In 142 NFL starts, he boasts of a 74-66-2 record. He has thrown for 33,764 passing yards with 218 passing TDs against 126 interceptions over a career spanning 10 years.
Along with fellow veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dalton is one of the most respected quarterbacks in the league. He did a commendable job in filling in for Prescott last season. But this year will be a whole new challenge.
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Bears’ fans will definitely wonder if Dalton is the right man to serve as their starter in 2021. But considering their draft situation and the quarterback market at present, he could the perfect stop-gap solution for coach Nagy and GM Ryan Pace.
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This was a safe gamble for Chicago as they continue to look for long-term solutions in the pocket. Let’s hope it pays off in the near future.
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