News broke in the late afternoon on Tuesday that the Chicago Bears reached agreement with QB Andy Dalton on a one-year, $10M deal with possible incentives. This after a furious pursuit of Russell Wilson was finally denied by Seattle.
Likely context behind the Andy Dalton signing. It takes two teams to trade. If Seattle wasn't budging, there was no shot.
Like I've said twice before now, don't expect Andy Dalton to be *the* move in a MAKE OR BREAK season. https://t.co/oZ8qGc9RQ2
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 16, 2021
Obviously, Bears fans are not happy about it. And while understandable, this news should be taken with the following two items under consideration:
- Dalton was not their primary target.
- Dalton is also likely not their last move as it relates to QBs.
A couple tweet thoughts from me on this, including the tweet above:
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One way I could see this making sense is if they have a trade in the works to move Nick Foles. Dalton then becomes the backup, setting the stage for either a "real" swing at a veteran or a move in the draft.
Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy are smarter than *this*, people. https://t.co/FWf0eOpwyq
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 16, 2021
All it takes is for the Bears to make an uninspiring QB move for Twitter to forget how bad the the last one was.
Folks, you can dislike the Andy Dalton move (I do, too!). But I am seeing way, way too much hindsight Trubisky worship. Please don't lose perspective.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 16, 2021
Here’s the reality: The Bears will very, very likely be heavily involved in the draft, looking for a QB to sit behind Dalton. And I would imagine Nick Foles is not on the roster next year, either. The offseason officially begins Wednesday at 3pm CT. A lot of moves are going to take place. Let’s see where the Bears are a month from now.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. I put out the question ask before the Dalton news, so several might not apply anymore. I’ll cover as much as I can below. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
I would say so, yes. The Bears can't sell the fanbase (clearly) on just Andy Dalton. I expect a move for a QB in the draft. But I hope it's not a waste of time like Kyle Trask.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
The Bears reportedly offered three first rounders, two third-rounders and a player, per @dabearsblog.
Pete Carroll came in and said no anyway. Not much the Bears can do about that.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
He's a slight upgrade from their 2020 situation and they needed to make a move with Pete Carroll squashing their Russell Wilson pursuit.
Now they have several resources remaining they can pour into the draft and upgrade the offense, FWIW.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
I believe they will, yes.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
The Bears will likely be involved in the second/third waves of free agency anyway. They will retool the roster (outside of QB) and then pour heavy resources in the draft into the offense.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
There are more moves that will be made to lower their cap situation by today's start of the new league year.
Also, 4-12 seems low. They went 8-8 last year with bottom-five QB play.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
A couple of WRs, perhaps a move on the OL, a new U-TE, a SS and perhaps some CB help.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
Andy Dalton will be the "stuck with" QB now, and I see the Bears' ceiling at around 8-8 again.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
Seattle just flat-out told them no.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
This is obviously out the window now, but Sam Darnold is not thought of highly around the league. Being young doesn't always mean having potential.
Similar opinions should be held of QBs like Trubisky, Daniel Jones, Tua, Hurts, etc.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
Andy Dalton has been signed, so there's that. I'd watch their movement in the draft.
Given that they're probably desperate, my *guess* is they will target one of Mac Jones or Justin Fields.
I expect Lawrence and Wilson to go 1-2.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
All in due time. They are waiting for the second/third waves of free agency.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
Because I like his tape and think too many teams employ boondoggle QBs as their starters.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 17, 2021
