Chicago Bears: Andy Dalton was promised the Bears starting QB spot

Andy Dalton had his first introductory media session with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday afternoon, via the Chicago Bears official website.

Dalton, who was signed to a one-year, $10 million contract on Tuesday, had some interesting things to say about his experiences with free agency, the team, and the future.

Dalton’s acceptance to the city has been overwhelmingly awful and even he mentioned he’s heard the talk. However, has the organization accepted him? Head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace were not in attendance for the session. What does that tell you?

Dalton also mentioned that he has not yet talked to Allen Robinson who may sit out this upcoming season after the Bears used a franchise tag on him. Dalton also mentioned that he has yet to talk to chairman George McCaskey, which is a bit alarming.

The biggest piece of information Dalton gave the press was the reasoning he decided to come here after the Bears offered an “enticing pitch” to be the starting quarterback.

"“They told me I was a starter. 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 I’ve got,” Dalton when asked about the quarterback room."

Dalton’s assurance as a starter is interesting to Bears’ fans, who have been mellow about the signing over the fact that the Bears could use their number 20 pick in the upcoming draft to take a quarterback from the talented rookie class.

Dalton was immediately asked about his thoughts on the possibility of the Bears taking a quarterback in the upcoming draft, and how he would react to that.

"“That’s kind of part of it. I’ve been the starter as well as the backup throughout my career. I think it’s what you can do to help the next guy,” said Dalton. “We’ll see if that’s the case and what we do in the draft but I’ve got no problem with that.”"

The entirety of this process seems exactly how it played out back in 2017 when the Bears signed and told Mike Glennon he would be the Bears’ starting quarterback for $15 million per year. Only until they drafted Mitch Trubisky with the second pick in the draft did that not follow through.

Dalton seems to have a grasp on being the starting quarterback in Chicago next season. He mentioned he plans to have a hand in developing the offense and creating a “group effort” with Nagy and Lazor to develop the right system that fits him.

He also mentioned that he “would like to finish his career here” in Chicago with the Bears. The 33-year old veteran mentioned he is in “the second half of his career.” On the flip side, Dalton most certainly seems like a bridge to the organization’s next shot in the draft.

Dalton brought in a great attitude and a lot of excitement to his first media session with the Bears while sporting a navy blue Bears’ polo to show off his new organization. Don’t be surprised if that excitement fades away if the Bears take a rookie quarterback in the first round come late-April.