In the last week or so, the Chicago Bears have not only made the Andy Dalton signing official, but Dalton also had his introductory press conference. It’s real, Bears fans. Andy Dalton will be the starter in 2021, barring a crazy happenstance in the draft.
Makin' things 𝓸𝓯𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓵. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/udBme8lSux
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 23, 2021
Bears fans aren’t happy, but the reality is Dalton is an upgrade to the QB position. It isn’t exciting, but it’s an upgrade. That helps, especially against a pretty brutal schedule (on paper) in 2021.
I’d encourage fans to wait to see how the team looks after the draft before truly passing judgement. The reality is, if the Bears invest heavily in the offense from now through the draft, Dalton can still be an effective QB.
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With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
QB: Better
RB: Same
WR: Same
TE: Same
OL: Better (remember, Daniels will return)
DL: Same-ish
EDGE: Same-ish
LB: Same
CB: Worse
S: Incomplete
ST: Worse (tough to replace Patterson)The question becomes: Is the Dalton boost enough to compensate Fuller's loss?
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
Spend as much as I can on the offense. Build as much infrastructure around Andy Dalton for this year (and to have a good setup for the next rookie QB to come in).
That's the whole game in today's NFL. It's time for the Bears to modernize.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
If the Bears reach 8-8 next season (albeit against a tough schedule), it might be difficult to justify bringing them back. At the very least, I'd fire Ryan Pace.
I'd bring back Nagy if the new GM is okay with it. And hope the 2022 QB draft is worth jumping all-in for.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
Don't expect the Bears to shell out for someone like Sammy Watkins.
I'd look at T.Y. Hilton, Golden Tate, or Demarcus Robinson on cheap deals.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
The Eagles signing Joe Flacco certainly hurts those chances, but the Broncos are rumored to be interested as well. With the $4M roster bonus paid, maybe that triggers further interest.
The Bears won't release Foles, though. He either gets traded, or is the backup.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
I'd like to see a veteran safety in the building and perhaps a veteran WR. Both could be on cheap deals.
And then I want them to load up on offense in the draft. Another WR or two, an OL, and perhaps a TE.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
Their assumption was Trubisky was the guy and they could make that move while Mitch was on his rookie contract. Obviously, it didn't work out.
The Bears are better with Mack, of course, but there might be some inherent remorse, only because they were so wrong about Mitch.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
I'd imagine the Bears sign a veteran safety to start (maybe bring back Gipson or sign Kenny Vaccaro?). Desmond Trufant starts at CB, with them looking for depth in the draft.
But look for the Bears to focus much of their draft capital on the offense.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
I don't think this is a bad roster, but losing Kyle Fuller hurts a lot.
Andy Dalton is decidedly better than last year's QBs, but the schedule is much tougher (on paper).
Can the Dalton/Bill Lazor connection, along with more investment in the offense, overcome the challenges?
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
One day, we'll all be dead and none of this will matter!
In all seriousness, there are another six weeks or so before the roster truly takes shape. See how they look after the draft.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
At the end of the day, it's a business. A difficult business. Dealing with a heavy reduction in the salary cap is something affecting all teams. That comes with tough decisions.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 24, 2021
