Andy Dalton did nothing wrong. He was a free agent looking for an opportunity. He wanted a chance to start if possible and was willing to take a relatively cheap contract in order to get that chance. The Chicago Bears offered him one. That isn’t his fault. Yet it doesn’t erase reality. Plenty of fans want nothing to do with him. They feel he is nothing more than just another guy. Another in a long line mediocrity. Why are the Bears even bothering with him?
Some even argued they already have somebody just like him in Nick Foles. Hell, just bring back Mitch Trubisky at that point. He isn’t any worse than Dalton. Doing either of those things probably wouldn’t require the Bears to part ways with defensive stalwarts Kyle Fuller and Akiem Hicks. Why waste such time and money on somebody who doesn’t move the needle?
Except there are some credible NFL people who think otherwise.
Gil Brandt is a Hall of Fame executive. He played a pivotal role in the rise of the Dallas Cowboys from expansion team to NFL powerhouse. During that long career, he learned the importance of the quarterback position. Even since retirement, he’s covered the NFL through the media for years. He watched Andy Dalton since he was drafted in Cincinnati. In his mind? There is no comparison between the 33-year old and Foles or Trubisky.
Andy Dalton is a huge upgrade from what the Bears were working with last year. I'm not sure what all the ruckus is all about.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 17, 2021
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He isn’t alone. Ross Tucker played 42 games in the NFL himself as an offensive lineman and has covered it as an analyst since 2008. During that time, he had a chance to play with several different quarterbacks including Tom Brady. When the hatred rained down on the Dalton signing, he didn’t understand it.
Least favorite thing about @Twitter is when everybody just 💩on the same person because they are an easy target or it's the thing to do.
Andy Dalton is a 3x Pro Bowl QB who has taken his team to the playoffs 5 times & has made $86M.
If he "sucks" then most of you suck. 😮
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) March 17, 2021
Had no idea when I woke up this morning I'd be defending Chicago Bears QB Andy Dalton but here we are. 🤷♂️
FWIW, I "sucked" way more as a football player than Andy Dalton "sucks" yet it enabled both of my childhood dreams (NFL player/broadcaster) to come true. 😜
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) March 17, 2021
Last but not least, the former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee was also quick to defend the move. He saw the full spectrum of quarterbacking from the greatness of Peyton Manning to the utter pointlessness of Curtis Painter. He made it clear Dalton would step in and win some games for Chicago.
Andy Dalton is not a savior. He is a temporary solution
The best way to view this signing is the same way Kansas City viewed their trade for Alex Smith in 2013. Nobody said the guy was great. Yet the Chiefs needed somebody reliable who could conduct the offense with poise and precision. Somebody who wouldn’t lose games for them. Smith did that for years until the team finally found their golden goose in Patrick Mahomes.
Andy Dalton can definitely be that guy for the Bears. He proved it last season. Things didn’t get off to a good start in Dallas. After Dak Prescott went down, Dalton stepped into the starting lineup and struggled through the first two games, throwing one TD and two interceptions. Then he missed two weeks due to a concussion and then COVID-19.
When he returned though? Things got much better.
Down the final seven-game stretch, Dalton completed 66% of his passes for 1,718 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Good for a 95.1 passer rating. It was proof that if a team can give him some weapons and modestly okay pass protection, he’ll find a way to put some points on the board and win some games. Dalton was 4-3 during that stretch.
Again, this is not a “we’re ready for a Super Bowl” move by the Bears. It’s a “we believe we can win some games and stay competitive” move. GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy seem determined to start shifting resources away from the defense towards the offense. Something that was almost inevitable. Dalton will be a test run to see how it goes.