Sources: Bears turn to Dalton after Wilson pursuit
Quarterback Andy Dalton is headed to Chicago, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bears attempted to acquire Russell Wilson, but the…
The Chicago Bears and quarterback Andy Dalton have agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal, with the chance for the quarterback to earn another $3 million in incentives, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
Chicago made “a very aggressive pursuit” of Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, sources said, but the Bears were told that Seattle is not trading him at this time.
The Bears were one of four teams Wilson’s agent previously told Schefter the quarterback would accept a trade to, the others being the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders. Dallas gave Dak Prescott an extension last week, while New Orleans on Monday agreed to a deal to bring back Jameis Winston. The Saints also have salary-cap issues that would make it difficult to absorb Wilson’s $19 million base salary for 2021.
Wilson has a no-trade clause that he would have to waive to be dealt. The Seahawks would also absorb $39 million in dead money, all of which would count against their salary cap this year if they traded Wilson before June 1.
Dalton, 33, spent 2020 with the Cowboys after a nine-year run as the Cincinnati Bengals‘ starter.
Signed as the backup, Dalton was pressed into duty when Prescott suffered a dislocated and compound fracture of his right ankle in Week 5 against the New York Giants.
In nine starts (11 appearances), Dalton had a 4-5 record, throwing for 2,170 yards and 14 touchdowns, with eight interceptions. He had his best showing in a Week 16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing for 377 yards and three scores.
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Dalton had some health issues of his own during the season, missing a game after suffering a concussion against the Washington Football Team. The following week, he was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
At the end of the season, Dalton said his hope was to find a spot as a starter, and coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said he had shown enough to warrant consideration from teams.
He has that chance in Chicago. Although the Bears made the postseason with an 8-8 mark, the team got uninspired play at quarterback when both Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky were given oportunities to start.
Trubisky is now a free agent after Chicago elected not to pick up his fifth-year option on the former No. 2 overall pick ahead of last season. Foles is still on the team’s roster.
After the Bengals selected Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Dalton became expendable and was released by Cincinnati. He posted a 74-66-2 record as the Bengals’ starter, taking the franchise to the playoffs five times but not winning a postseason game. He was also named to the Pro Bowl three times.
The Bears also are bringing back offensive lineman Germain Ifedi on a one-year, $5 million deal, a source told Schefter. The deal includes a $4.25 million base salary.
Ifedi, 26, began his career with the Seahawks before joining the Bears on a one-year deal last year.
ESPN’s Todd Archer and Brady Henderson contributed to this report..
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