The Chicago Bears have been aggressive this offseason at the quarterback position. Unfortunately for them, it didn’t pan out. Now, they’re left to settle for an aging, below-average quarterback in Andy Dalton, who signed a one-year deal worth $10 million with $3 million in added incentives.
My, oh my, how things changed in a day.
The last couple of weeks have been an exciting time for Bears fans, mostly because they were able to enjoy entertaining the idea of Russell Wilson in a Bears uniform, however unsure it was.
Chicago was one of four teams Wilson’s agent named as potential trade destinations, should the Seattle Seahawks decide to deal their franchise quarterback. The Bears were reportedly prepared to throw a “boatload” of picks the Seahawks’ way in order to acquire Wilson, who would’ve been the team’s best quarterback in franchise history from the moment they traded for him.
While the Wilson-to-Chicago rumors were gaining some steam, they’ve come to a screeching halt as the Seahawks informed the Bears — who made “a very aggressive pursuit” of Wilson, according to Adam Schefter — that they aren’t trading Wilson at this time.
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
Here's Ian Rapoport on the Bears' pursuit of Russell Wilson. Said they offered a lot, the Seahawks just decided they were not rebuilding. pic.twitter.com/h3fYDlrRsB
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) March 16, 2021
That forced the Bears to scramble at a barren free-agent market for a quarterback, which led to the Dalton signing, a move that Bears fans aren’t handling well. And rightfully so.
Anytime you go from rumors of Wilson, however far-fetched they might’ve been, to the reality of signing an aging, below-average quarterback in Dalton, it’s enough for fans to question everything. And ensure that general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy will be out of a job after 2021.
Well, that was fun while it lasted. But us Bears fans should’ve known better by now than to get caught up in optimism involving Chicago and quarterbacks. Now, it’s time for the Andy Dalton era.
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