The general belief among NFL experts is the Chicago Bears are likely done adding veteran quarterbacks. They tried for Russell Wilson. It didn’t work. So they secured a one-year deal for longtime veteran Andy Dalton. It was a move the top brass seemed happy with. A former three-time Pro Bowler, he’s been one of the more consistent QBs in the NFL for years. Somebody they can trust with the offense, make good decisions and lead. Some though don’t think the Bears should be done. One name that just popped up is Teddy Bridgewater.
For those who don’t remember, the Bears were interested in the former 1st round pick last offseason. They made a concerted push to sign him in free agency. In the end, he chose to sign with the Carolina Panthers, reuniting with coach Joe Brady who was their new offensive coordinator. In hindsight, he might be regretting that decision. Just one year into the three-year contract he signed, the team has already moved on, trading three picks to secure former New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.
Now he’s on the trade block seeking a new home.
Former Pro Bowl linebacker Bart Scott is aware of the Bears signing Dalton. It appears he isn’t impressed because he made it pretty clear they need to consider somebody else. That somebody being Bridgewater. Speaking the Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin show, he explained why he feels he is the guy to get Chicago back to the playoffs.
“What I’m saying is it’s not QB1, it’s QBB. Teddy Bridgewater is the move. Because when you think about it, Teddy Bridgewater is a guy that’s played in the division, he’s a guy that threw for 3700 yards last year without (Christian) McCaffrey. So if I’m Ryan Pace and I’m Matt Nagy, I’m saying get me that guy.”
Scott believes Bridgewater has the kind of mobility needed to make off-schedule plays and is still just 29-years old. So what about the contract problem? Remember the QB is set to count $22.95 million against the salary cap in 2021. There is no way the Bears can absorb that kind of number. He believes the Panthers would eat some of that money in order to facilitate a trade.
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This is the same guy who also urged them to trade for Darnold. Does Scott really think Bridgewater is that much better than Dalton? The evidence doesn’t back it up.
Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t do what is most important
He doesn’t throw a lot of touchdowns. Here is an unmistakable stat that separates him and Dalton. Bridgewater threw 15 touchdowns in 15 games last season for the Panthers. That was actually the most of his NFL career. By contrast, Dalton threw 13 touchdowns in the final seven games of 2021 alone last year for Dallas. While he may not be as mobile, he’s proven beyond a doubt that he is better at putting the ball in the end zone.
As Scott pointed out, the one saving grace for Teddy Bridgewater is his mobility. His surgically-repaired knee appeared just fine last season as he ran for just shy of 300 yards with five touchdowns. The Bears got a taste of that when they played in Carolina last year. There is no denying the running element can be a benefit at times. Yet even then it didn’t drastically put his production higher than Dalton who had 114 yards rushing of his own. People forget he’s not a complete statue.
The bottom line is? This isn’t happening.
Dalton is their guy. Chicago is in no position to fork over the money and draft pick necessary to get Bridgewater. A QB who may not be superior to the guy they already have. Chicago already tried the competition thing last year. It didn’t work. Nagy made it clear Dalton is going to get every meaningful snap in training camp this year. If they happen to add a quarterback in the draft? That’ll be for the future. For 2021, this is Dalton’s team.