Bears Make it Official: Andy Dalton is QB1, Fans React
The Chicago Bears officially announced in a tweet that Andy Dalton will be the starting quarterback this season, and within seconds, the internet reacted.
But Dalton said he's aware people aren't excited for him to be the starting quarterback of their team — he's the new guy.
"Obviously, I know there's been a lot of talk, but I'm coming in from the outside. A lot of people don't know a ton about me and are going to get to learn a lot about me while I'm here. That's all I'm worried about and so, I'm here now."
"This is the second half of my career," Dalton said last week. "I want to play really good football. I want to help this team win a lot of games. I want to bring some excitement to the city."
Well, Andy — you got the city talking.
The Bears announced their plans to have a reduced attendance for the start of the 2021 NFL season a few weeks ago, but @bomani_jones says, "'come see andy dalton' ain't the way to sell season tickets."
The Bears went 29-21 in 50 games with former QB1 Mitch Trubisky as the starter. He completed 64% of his passes for 10,609 yards and 64 TDs to 37 INTs between 2017 and 2020.
He averaged just 6.7 yards per attempt and just over 200 yards passing per game, while struggling with accuracy and reading defenses through his entire stay in Chicago.
Trubisky is headed to Buffalo as QB2 behind Josh Allen.
It's 2021 ... nothing is absurd anymore.
The Eagles agreed to trade quarterback Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two draft picks, and Detroit traded QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and draft picks.
Dalton to the Bears and Trubisky to the Bills seem ... transactional.
The Bears' COVID policy for fan attendance will be enforced with ... Andy Dalton?
It is not clear whether this is an indication of support for the starting QB choice, but ... Where is the lie?
Dalton said he hopes everyone gets a chance to see who he is as a player and a person and that he's excited for the opportunity.
During his introductory press conference, Dalton promised not to take the opportunity for granted. He said he chose the Bears over other free agency destinations because he was promised the starting role.
"They told me I was the starter," Dalton said. "That was one of the reasons why I wanted to come here. Every conversation I've had has been that, so that's the assurance that I've gotten. I had several options and I felt like this was the best fit for me … When you hear that you're going to be the starter, that's an enticing pitch."
Dalton has thrown for 33,764 yards, 218 touchdowns and 126 interceptions in nine seasons with Cincinnati and one with Dallas, per ESPN. He led the Bengals to the playoffs his first five seasons after they drafted him out of TCU in the second round in 2011, but he never won a postseason game.