Rumors are flying like crazy with a month to go before free agency begins. In regards to the Chicago Bears, most of them have centered around what they’ll do at quarterback. Mitch Trubisky is secure for 2020, but expectations are he won’t be along by training camp. A veteran of some kind will likely be joining him on the depth chart. Somebody who can push him for the starting job. The hot name of late is Andy Dalton.
Fans know the story by now. The Cincinnati Bengals hold the #1 overall pick. Heisman winner Joe Burrow is virtually guaranteed to be their choice when the draft finally arrives. This means Dalton, a starter for them since 2011, is likely on his way out. Word is the team will work with him to facilitate a trade elsewhere. Multiple insiders have reported the Bears have called about that possibility.
It makes sense logically. Dalton has loads of starting experience and is connected to new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. The two have worked together from 2016 through 2018. The 32-year old is smart, seasoned, and has a track record of success that includes five trips to the playoffs. Sounds great, right?
Well it isn’t. Here’s why.
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Andy Dalton won’t change the bottom line for the Bears
The truth is trading for Dalton would be nothing more than an ass-saving maneuver by GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. A hail mary attempt to somehow salvage a trip to the playoffs that will keep their jobs safe. If anybody believes Dalton is capable of stepping in and leading this team to the Super Bowl, they’re kidding themselves.
People will argue that Dalton would have that top 5 defense to lean on. The Bears can make a run like that, right? Nope. Cincinnati delivered a top 10 defense five times in their run with Dalton as the starting QB. While they made the playoffs four times in those situations, they failed to get beyond the wild card round every single time. Keep in mind this guy was also surrounded by Pro Bowlers like A.J. Green, Jermaine Gresham, and Andrew Whitworth. He would not have the same supporting cast in Chicago.
Especially if the Bears trade for him. This means giving up a precious draft pick along with $17.7 million in cap space. That would make it truly difficult to help the offense significantly improve.
This team should think about two courses of action. Either throw the resources towards improving the supporting cast around Mitch Trubisky or go for broke on a true upgrade at the position. Somebody who either has already won a title (Brady/Foles) or has the talent to do so (Carr). Dalton is a middle ground option and middle ground doesn’t win championships in the NFL anymore.
