NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears have a new quarterback in the room, so we’re going to examine the fallout of the team signing Matthew Stafford Carson Wentz Jameis Winston Ryan Fitzpatrick Russell Wilson Deshaun Watson Andy Dalton.
In case you missed it, we’ve already had our broader “what does this mean” conversation earlier today, if you’re looking for that. For now, we just want to see what everyone else is saying.
“Oof .. That Hurts”
Ex-Bears on Twitter is reacting to an Andy Dalton signing exactly as you might expect:
https://twitter.com/_SmashAmos31/status/1371931643074785281?s=20
https://twitter.com/LanceBriggs/status/1371932950548385798
Emojis say it all.
And everything emojis aren’t saying is being said by the oddsmakers:
With the addition of Andy Dalton, the Bears Super Bowl odds at William Hill go from 40/1 to….50/1!
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 16, 2021
More: Bears go from +475 to +550 to win the NFC North at @DKSportsbook after acquiring Andy Dalton. https://t.co/1AN7UgTNnz
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 16, 2021
My read on the situation: It sounds like a good time to buy low on the Bears in the betting market.
Stop. Collaborate. And listen:
Last year, Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy collaborated to give up a fourth-round pick and commit to three years of Nick Foles instead of signing Andy Dalton on the cheap.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) March 16, 2021
At least they didn’t give up a second-round pick, which was last season’s reported asking price.
A national reaction with Chicago roots:
I'm angry about the Bears signing Andy Dalton. This guy Ryan Pace should be fired if this is all he can do. He and Matt Nagy have led the Chicago Bears to ruin. pic.twitter.com/WDsyW0OhV7
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) March 16, 2021
You’re angry? Ha. Get in line, bub.
A local reaction with a common sentiment:
If the Bears go to training camp with Dalton, Foles, and a mid-round pick at QB I'm boycotting training camp coverage on the show, taking up muskie fishing, and taking August off. This team sucks.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) March 16, 2021
If you’re not going to watch Bears football next fall because of this move, then so be it. But I’d nudge you toward watching the college game. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find the Bears’ next quarterback on some college campus somewhere.
What’s the Future Hold?
Is Andy Dalton the starter? The early consensus seems to believe so:
The #Bears will be signing QB Andy Dalton to a $10 million, one-year contract. The quarterback room takes on a new look at Halas Hall.https://t.co/Q0phbJNhxt
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 16, 2021
The #Bears are expected to sign FA QB Andy Dalton, source said. Their new starter. He gets a 1-year deal worth $10M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
NFL: "It really came into focus over the last 48-hours."@caplannfl on the decisions that led to the Chicago Bears signing Andy Dalton.#NFLFreeAgency #DaBears pic.twitter.com/S4O53xVFdG
— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) March 16, 2021
Is Dalton really the Bears’ QB1? Or will Nick Foles still have a shot at this thing. Foles played behind an offensive line that was in shambles. Meanwhile, Mitchell Trubisky’s line featured a healthy James Daniels to start the year, and a lineup at the end that was far better than the group Foles played with during his stretch.
With all due respect to Arlington Hambright, Jason Spriggs, and Rashaad Coward, that thing was a mess.
A Mix of Good Points, Hope on the Horizon, and Stuff That Makes Me Go ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
AtLeastYouTriedDotSimpsonsCakeDotGif:
Chicago made "a very aggressive pursuit" of Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, per sources, and the Bears were told that Seattle is not trading him at this time.
The Bears were one of four teams Wilson's agent named as a place of interest. Now Chicago has an agreement with Andy Dalton.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
I’m told per sources with knowledge of the situation, the #Bears went after Russell Wilson EXTREMELY aggressively when their name was included amongst the 4 Wilson would consider via trade (DAL/NO/LVR). The Seahawks were simply unwilling to trade their Super Bowl winning QB.
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 16, 2021
The participation trophy of “extreme aggressiveness” and $2.25 will get you a ride on the CTA. At least, I think it will. I haven’t jumped on public transportation since before the pandemic hit in March 2020. But I can’t imagine the CYA raised fare costs at a time when people might be hurting for money the most.
This is where I ultimately land:
I’m not sure that Andy Dalton eliminates the Bears from any trade talks, or taking a quarterback in the first round.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) March 16, 2021
I understand why Pace/Nagy would want Dalton as a fall-back plan in case they can't land Wilson/Watson. They want to raise the 2021 floor to save their jobs.
But fans? I suspect fans would've just rather seen a tank job if a big trade doesn't happen …
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 16, 2021
As I tweeted in a thread last night, there’s a win-win scenario here. Because if it turns out that GM Ryan Pace and Head Coach Matt Nagy are hanging their hats on Andy Dalton saving their skin, then there’s a decent chance this turns out to be disastrous and sweeping regime changes could be forthcoming. I don’t know about you, but I’ve already got a short-list of GM and Head Coach candidates saved in a draft folder.
This thread by Mr. Wood is absolute nails:
Why? Legitimately, what's the point?
Dalton/Foles careers stats:
Completion %: 62.2%/62.3%
TD:INT: 1.7/1.9
Yards/attempt: 7.1/6.8
Adjusted net yards/attempt: 6.0/5.9
Passer rating: 87.5/87.1Why pay $10M you can't afford for a different flavor of the turd you already have? https://t.co/GWVNOJ4kJ2
— Johnathan Wood (@Johnathan_Wood1) March 16, 2021
Anything I add to Wood’s thoughts would just be piling on. And frankly, you’re probably tired of me digging at Pace’s failure when it comes to asset management. So, I’ll leave it at that.
2020 stats:
Andy Dalton: 64.9 comp%, 2.4 INT %, 4.2 TD%, 6.5 Y/A
Nick Foles: 64.7 comp%, 2.6 INT%, 3.2 TD%, 5.9 Y/A
This can't be the competition. They're gonna draft a QB in the 1st round. If they don't, we should boycott.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) March 16, 2021
#Bears fans expecting Ryan Pace to take big swing, hoping for Wilson or Watson understandably frustrated and disappointed. This is far from a home run; this is hitting to the right side to advance the runner. Signing Dalton inspires nobody. Serviceable QB — the latest one.
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) March 16, 2021
What an uninspiring set of tweets.
Because time is a flat circle:
So… the NFC North QBs:
Aaron Rodgers
Jared Goff
Kirk Cousins
Andy Dalton/Nick Foles— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 16, 2021
The breakdown: One elite QB, one who floundered in an über-friendly offense, an overpaid one whose contract is an anchor, and one who will either be someone who won a Super Bowl MVP and defeated Tom Brady last season or one who led the Bengals to MULTIPLE playoff appearances.
The Giggles
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 16, 2021
That, my friends, is the look of a man who’s probably thinking to himself, “I could’ve done better than that!” and probably shared that sentiment in a private text to his friend Matt Nagy.
The Bears replacing Mitch Trubisky with Andy Dalton pic.twitter.com/TQBnj0e5ZR
— anthony✈️ (@happyjetsfan_) March 16, 2021
Thinking you're getting Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson but actually getting Andy Dalton pic.twitter.com/Y8oZzinsxV
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) March 16, 2021
Asking for Russell Wilson and getting Andy Dalton is like asking for the PS5 and getting the PS3.
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) March 16, 2021
Kordell Stewart
Rex Grossman
Craig Krenzel
Chad Hutchinson
Jonathan Quinn
Kyle Orton
Brian Griese
Jay Cutler
Todd Collins
Caleb Hanie
Josh McCown
Jason Campbell
Jimmy Clausen
Matt Barkley
Brian Hoyer
Mike Glennon
Mitchell Trubisky
Chase Daniel
Nick Foles
Andy DaltonLord, why?
— Zack Guzman (@zGuz) March 16, 2021
If anyone needs me, I’ll be frying up some chicken, drowning it in Harold’s mild sauce, and pouring an adult beverage. I, for one, think I’ve earned it.
