The Chicago Bears made news on Tuesday as they signed 33-year old quarterback Andy Dalton to a one-year deal worth 10 million dollars. The signing all but likely ends the team’s quest to trade for an elite quarterback as they were rumored to be interested in quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, and Carson Wentz over the past few months. Although the Dalton signing is a disappointing one for fans, general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy still can make the most of the signing and gives the team a chance to compete in 2021.

Former Cowboys' QB Andy Dalton is signing a one-year, $10 million deal, with the chance to earn another $3 million in incentives, with the Chicago Bears, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021

Dalton Has a Proven Resume Of Being a Reliable Quarterback

Although many fans and those in the media do not believe that the Bears can do anything with Dalton as their team’s 2021 starter, he has been strongly consistent throughout his career. The ten-year veteran has been one of the better quarterbacks in the league as he has been named to the Pro Bowl three times in his career and has led the Bengals to the playoffs in five consecutive seasons. Dalton has had a quarterback rating of 87 or higher in six of his seasons, passed for 4,000 yards in a season, and has had four seasons of 25 touchdown passes or more.

Andy Dalton finishes his Bengals leader as the all-time leader in passing TD (204), 2nd in passing yards (31,594), most 4th quarter comebacks (20) and game-winning drives (24), three Pro Bowl nods and helped dig them out of the dumps to five playoff appearances. Really solid run.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 30, 2020

Many will look at Dalton’s 2020 season with the Dallas Cowboys as a sign of his decline, but his numbers show different. After taking over at quarterback in week five for Dak Prescott, The former Bengals quarterback played poorly in his first three games. Dalton’s performance against the Arizona Cardinals is what everyone remembers the most as he threw two interceptions, was sacked three times, and registered a quarterback rating of 36.1 in a 38-10 loss. Following missing two games with a concussion and testing positive COVID-19, he played pretty well as he threw 13 touchdowns to five interceptions in the Cowboys’ final seven games.

Something that should excite Bears fans is that Dalton will now have an entire offseason and training camp to get accustomed to the Bears offense, something he did not have in Dallas last season. Furthermore, he will reunite with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the Bengals quarterback coach and offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2018. Dalton had two of his most efficient seasons with Lazor in 2016 and 2017.

Andy Dalton is headed to the #Bears. The former Bengals 2nd-Rounder, most recently with the Cowboys, reunites with OC Bill Lazor, who was Dalton’s OC for 2-years in Cincy. Dalton had an 87.9 passer rating in that span, 12 wins – 15 losses, 60.7 Comp Pct, 46TD-23INT, 218 Pass YPG.

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 16, 2021

Chicago Can Now Dedicate Other Resources To Improve The Rest Of The Offense

Now that the Bears appear unlikely to be giving up multiple first-round selections and dedicating a large portion of their salary cap space to take on an elite quarterback, they can utilize the resources available to solidify the rest of their offense. Before free agency started this week, Pace and the Bears created nearly 28 million dollars in cap space by converting salaries into signing bonuses. Many expected the freeing up of money for an imminent deal related to an elite quarterback such as Wilson or Watson. Now that the money is still available, the Bears can now use that money to improve the offensive line or the wide receiver position to get the most out of Dalton.

Tons of free agents remain available, including:
▫️OT Trent Williams
▫️WR Kenny Golladay
▫️WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
▫️RB Chris Carson
▫️TE Hunter Henry
▫️WR Curtis Samuel
▫️WR Will Fuller
▫️DE Jadeveon Clowney
▫️QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
▫️DE Carlos Dunlap
▫️CB Shaq Griffin

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 16, 2021

The Bears offensive line can use a few additional pieces as the team released tackle Bobby Massie last week, and the team has shown interest in free-agent perennial Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams. Chicago needs to add offensive line help as Dalton is a pure pocket passer and could struggle with sack pressure the same way Nick Foles did last season. Adding a tackle and guard to solidify the offensive line to improve pass blocking could make a significant difference given the team’s success last season run-blocking.

Pace can further help Dalton by adding as many passing weapons as possible to the offense. With the team likely to move on from receivers Anthony Miller, Javon Wims, and Cordarrelle Patterson, Chicago needs to add at least two receivers in free agency. The Bears can have one of the better wide receiving groups in the league if they can add one of the top three free agents available in either Kenny Golladay, JuJu Smith-Schuster, or Curtis Samuel to work alongside Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney. Chicago could even add former Bengal Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green as a potential fourth option. Filling out the receiver position while having running back David Montgomery and tight end Cole Kmet would give Dalton a very good support cast.

Curtis Samuel with his second touchdown of the night! 😳 pic.twitter.com/5ARyAOftw7

— Barstool OSU (@BarstoolOSU) October 30, 2020

The short-term length of Dalton’s contract hints that Pace and the Bears will most likely target a quarterback with the team’s first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft next month. If the Bears do not draft a quarterback in the first round, signing Dalton becomes confusing. Chicago will be without a long-term plan for the position following the 2021 season. Dalton is the perfect quarterback to bridge the team to 2022 if Pace drafts a quarterback, potentially Mac Jones, in the first round.

Stop us if you've heard this before: Mac Jones threw a touchdown to Devonta Smith. pic.twitter.com/dPcvSk78w3

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 6, 2020

Dalton signing with the Bears may not be the most ideal or exciting move for fans, but it presents options, both in the short-term and long-term. Chicago still has a chance to become a better all-around team with Dalton as their starter in 2021. Draft picks and money that would have gone to one elite player can now bed used across the rest of the roster. With an overall better roster and an offseason to get acclimated, Dalton could do just enough to help the Bears make a deep playoff push this year.