For years there has been this stigma among the NFL fanbase about Andy Dalton. He’s terrible. The guy was never good. Three meaningless Pro Bowl trips. Zero playoff wins in four attempts. He just happened to hitch a ride on some good teams and was exposed the moment they were no longer good. Fair or not, this is how a majority of fans feel about him. So what about actual NFL people? Guys who get paid to do this. Adam Schefter claims it’s a different story.
Appearing on ESPN Get Up, the subject of the Chicago Bears signing Dalton came around. While the media might be bashing the move, plenty of other teams have not. There is a large consensus of people around the league who view Dalton as one of the more underrated quarterbacks out there. Somebody who doesn’t get nearly enough respect for what he’s accomplished.
This might explain why Bears coaches were reportedly “thrilled” to get him.
Matt Nagy and his staff seem to think Dalton is an upgrade over Mitch Trubisky. Though not a star like Aaron Rodgers, he is somebody who can at least be capable. Somebody that knows how to execute an offense, distribute the football, and be efficient. He’s also a well-respected leader. Someone who understands how to command a locker room. The best comparison to make is what the Chiefs had in Alex Smith a few years ago.
Considering Nagy was there for most of it? This sort of move shouldn’t have been a surprise. Sure the Bears would’ve loved to land Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson. Neither of those options materialized. They had a choice to make. Go after a wild card like Sam Darnold or take a dangerous swing on a rookie in the draft. Signing Dalton was the logical decision.
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Adam Schefter has no reason to lie about this.
If one were to watch the rest of the video above, they’d hear Mel Kiper add his own opinion on the situation. His problem with the situation isn’t so much Dalton as it is the talent around him. He fears the Bears have a number of issues along the offensive line and at wide receiver. Problems the 33-year old QB isn’t equipped to overcome. This is why belief remains strong in several circles that Chicago will focus their attention early in the draft on offensive help.
This class is deep at both wide receiver and offensive tackle. There is a strong possibility they could walk away with two starters at each position in the first two rounds. Then they could use their 3rd round pick on a potential developmental QB. Nagy already made it clear Dalton is the guy this season. Why would the team muddy the waters by trading up for somebody who isn’t going to help them this season?
Everything they do has to be about winning in 2021.
If they do grab a QB in the 1st round? That’ll be a clear indication Nagy and Pace are safer than people realize. Don’t count on it. Dalton is the focal point for this season. Adam Schefter has made that pretty clear. The Bears like him. Plenty of other teams like him too. Sure, he’s never going to outduel all-time greats. Give him a good enough supporting cast though? He’ll win you some football games.