Tag: Andy Dalton

6 options for Chicago Bears at quarterback in 2020

Mitchell Trubisky might have been named the 2020 starter, but he’s just one of several options for the QB-hungry Bears this season.

Are there any two topics as controversial as the Chicago Bears and quarterbacks? For a franchise rich with 100 years of history, quarterback has seemingly been the one position the Bears haven’t found sustained success with.

That trend has continued with former No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky, whose future is murkier than ever following regression in his third season. While the Bears have stood firm behind the belief that Trubisky will be the starter heading into the 2020 season, there’s a lot of time between now and the start of the season.

Considering Trubisky is currently the only quarterback under contract for Chicago, the Bears need to bring in some fresh faces to the QB room. Perhaps one of them will get a chance to start in place of Trubisky, or maybe not.

Here are six options for the Bears at quarterback heading into 2020:

1. Mitchell Trubisky

Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not a question whether Mitchell Trubisky will enter the 2020 season as the Bears starting quarterback so much as it’s a question of if he’ll remain the starter through the entire season. The most likely option for the Bears at quarterback, like it or not, is Trubisky, who has one year left on his rookie deal.

Trubisky’s struggles were well-known through the league, but the Bears have acknowledged that the offense’s regression wasn’t all on Trubisky. A struggling offensive line and lack of a run game or tight ends were also issues that plagued the Bears. But Trubisky has to be better if he wants to keep his job. Chicago isn’t going to have blind-faith with Trubisky through the 2020 season. They’re going to bring in an experienced veteran that can replace Trubisky should his regression continue.

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Bears shouldn’t be all-in on Mitchell Trubisky in 2020

The Bears stand firm behind QB Mitchell Trubisky, but that doesn’t mean they should lead with blind-faith in Trubisky next season.

The Bears have stood firm in their belief of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky following an abysmal season that called his future into question.

But for all of the “we belief in Mitch” talk hailing from general manager Ryan Pace, head coach Matt Nagy and Trubisky’s teammates, that doesn’t mean that Chicago should once again lead with blind-faith in Trubisky next season.

Trubisky was far from the only problem on offense last season, but he was a big reason for the regression of an average unit the previous year. Inconsistencies in decision-making and accuracy continued to plague Trubisky in a brutal 2019, so much so that everyone and their mother knows that the Bears are looking to bring in a backup plan.

While the Bears shouldn’t give up on Trubisky’s development, Bleacher Report believes it would be a mistake to rely solely on Trubisky in 2020.

The Bears don’t have to bring in direct competition for Trubisky in 2020, but they need to invest more into the position—with a draft pick or a solid backup—to provide a safety net if Trubisky doesn’t develop accordingly.  

The 25-year-old finished the 2019 campaign with a 39.5 QBR and an 83.0 passer rating. Both are bottom-five marks among qualified signal-callers.

General manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy have preached competition at every position this offseason, including quarterback. While it doesn’t mean Trubisky won’t be the starter, it’s certainly a warning shot should Trubisky continue to struggle in 2020.

“Throughout our team, that’s what we want,” Pace told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Everybody’s fighting for starting jobs. That’s what we want to create. The best teams we’ve been a part of, there’s competition everywhere.”

The Bears have been linked to nearly every veteran free agent quarterback and even some quarterbacks teams could be looking to trade this offseason. Chicago reportedly had been in talks with the Bengals about Andy Dalton, who fits the bill for an experienced veteran that wouldn’t be brought in to replace Trubisky rather as insurance should Trubisky’s struggles continue.

While competition is always good, Pace wouldn’t be talking about competition for his starting quarterback if Trubisky’s job was secure. Then again, Trubisky hasn’t earned that confidence.

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Report: Eli Manning had dinner with Bears in Chicago

The Bears met with retired QB Eli Manning at Oriole restaurant in downtown Chicago on Wednesday evening, according to multiple individuals.

If you thought the Bears quarterback carousel was already spinning out of control, the ride may have just spun off its tracks.

After weeks of reports stating the team has been interested in a half-dozen signal callers, from the Raiders’ Derek Carr to the Bengals’ Andy Dalton, a new rumor has surfaced saying the team dined with a player who was thought to be completely off the table this spring: retired Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

The Bears brass met with Manning at Oriole restaurant in downtown Chicago on Wednesday evening, according to multiple individuals.

The rumored dinner with Manning is curious, to say the least. After starting only a handful of games in 2019 before getting supplanted by rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, Manning decided to retire in late January following a 16-year career. He won two Super Bowl championships in 2007 and 2011 and finished his career as the Giants’ all-time leading passer. But could he be considering a comeback with the quarterback-needy Bears?

Manning’s ties to the Bears are very loose at this point. New quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo served as the offensive quality control coach for the Giants from 2005-2006 when Manning was quarterback, but that’s where the connection ends.

Is the team turning over every stone when it comes to finding a veteran who can push Trubisky, who crashed down to earth last season following a pro-bowl caliber sophomore campaign in 2018? Or are they simply picking the brain of one of the most accomplished passers in the last 15 years?

It is important to note that while Manning did retire, he was set to hit free agency in March. If he decides to unretire, the Giants would not have control over his rights and Manning would become a free agent.

Whatever the reason for the meeting, however, it’s yet another chapter in the team’s seemingly unending search for a quarterback. With just days left until March 16, when teams can legally tamper with free agents, the answers will arrive at some point. But this quarterback carousel is currently rolling down the street and nobody knows exactly when it will stop.

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Bears insider says starting QB job is Mitchell Trubisky’s to lose

The Bears are expected to address QB in free agency and the NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean Mitchell Trubisky won’t be the guy in 2020.

One of the hot topics coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine centered around how the Bears are going to handle their quarterback situation heading into the 2020 season.

Mitchell Trubisky’s struggles last season were well-documented, and his future as Chicago’s signal caller is in question. The Bears are expected to address the position in free agency and possibly the NFL Draft, although that doesn’t mean Trubisky won’t be the guy heading into 2020.

ESPN’s Matthew Berry talked to a Bears insider at the NFL Combine, and it sounds like Chicago’s starting quarterback job is Trubisky’s to lose at this point.

I asked a Bears insider who will be under center for the first play of the 2020 season. The answer? “Mitchell Trubisky, and it’s a handoff.” And then they laughed. The expectation is the Bears will bring in a veteran to compete with or back up Trubisky, but while the leash is short, it’s still Mitch’s job for now.

While Trubisky was far from the only issue on offense in 2019, he was one of the biggest. So it’s not really a surprise that offseason conversation has shifted to experienced veterans coming in to challenge Trubisky this offseason.

One of those veterans that has been mentioned as a possible suitor for the Bears is Andy Dalton, who the Bengals are looking to trade this offseason.

General manager Ryan Pace made it clear that the Bears will be bringing in quarterbacks this offseason, which only makes sense considering Trubisky is currently the only quarterback under contract in Chicago.

Whether that quarterback is Dalton or another experienced veteran like a Case Keenum, it sounds like the Bears will give Trubisky one last chance to prove everyone wrong.

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Should the Bears seek trade for QB Andy Dalton?

The Bears are reportedly interested in Andy Dalton. But when you examine the potential cost, should they be all-in on the veteran QB?

The Bears will be in the market for a veteran quarterback this offseason, and there have been no shortage of names mentioned in conjunction with Chicago’s quarterback search.

Chicago is believed to have interest in trading for Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who would fit the bill as an experienced veteran quarterback that’s not necessarily an upgrade from incumbent starter Mitchell Trubisky.

While bringing in Dalton would indeed provide a push for Trubisky, he wouldn’t be brought in to replace Trubisky. And given the Bears are intent on giving Trubisky one more season to prove himself, this might be the ideal situation.

The Bears appear to be seeking to replicate what the Titans had in place last season with Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill. They gave Mariota one last chance to prove himself, but they had insurance on deck just in case. That proved to be a good move on Tennessee’s part, as Tannehill replaced an ineffective Mariota and led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game.

While it’s unrealistic to expect a similar result in Chicago with whoever winds up being Trubisky’s backup, the Bears clearly want a fail-safe should the Trubisky experiment sour again in Year 4.

If the Bears were to trade for Dalton, they would have to take on his $17.7 million contract for this year, but they wouldn’t be tied to him longer than one season. Although word is the Bengals are reportedly seeking a second or third round pick for Dalton’s services.

But if Chicago is seeking an experienced veteran to back-up Trubisky, there are other veteran options poised to hit the free agent market they could target — and some that would ultimately be upgrades over Trubisky.

Obviously a popular connection between Dalton and the Bears is new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who worked with Dalton in Cincinnati. But Dalton’s numbers weren’t anything to rave about in 2017 and 2018. He had a 60.7 completion percentage, averaged 6.8 yards per attempt, threw for 46 touchdowns versus 23 interceptions, and a 87.9 passer rating.

But when you examine the potential cost for Dalton, should the Bears pursue the veteran quarterback?

What do you think? Should the Bears be all-in on Dalton this offseason? Or should they target another cost-effective veteran to challenge Trubisky?

[polldaddy poll=10514081]

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6 possible trade destinations for Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton could be traded from the Bengals and there will be suitors like the Bears, Bucs, Jaguars and others.

It’s very odd to think that one of the biggest offseason quarterback dominoes that is going to fall is an eventual trade of Andy Dalton. There is no reason for Dalton and his $17 million dollar cap hit to stay in Cincinnati if the Bengals are going to draft Joe Burrow — and they are definitely taking the Heisman winner and national champion with the first pick.

There will be suitors of Dalton. For all the jokes about Dalton as a quarterback, the Dalton line — copyrighted by Around the NFL podcast — and the Bengals playoff record with Dalton under center, he’s a decent quarterback. He can’t win you a Super Bowl unless you have a ton of talent surrounding him, but he’s better than a lot of other options. If Ryan Tannehill can have a comeback season where the Titans are thinking about keeping the former Dolphins quarterback instead of making a run at Tom Brady, then anything is possible for Dalton.

The Bengals probably aren’t going to outright release him either since his $17 million cap hit is actually a pretty good number. Some team will be interested. Let’s take a guess at which ones may make the call.

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Patriots and Bears are fun but don’t forget Colts in Andy Dalton trade ideas

Keep an eye on the Colts in the Andy Dalton sweepstakes.

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It’s fun to theorize about where Andy Dalton might end up now that he’s clearly on the way out the door with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dalton going to the Chicago Bears makes plenty of sense — and the two sides reportedly talked about a deal during the NFL combine.

There is also the New England Patriots to consider given the trade history between the franchises — but only if the Patriots lose Tom Brady to free agency.

But what about the Indianapolis Colts?

In a report revealing Dalton’s agent is working with the Bengals on a trade, the Colts are another team mentioned as a possible landing spot.

And if we’re looking at it through a do-right-by-Dalton lens, the Colts are a pretty great situation.

In Indianapolis, Dalton would enjoy playing with one of the NFL’s best offensive lines while airing it out to T.Y. Hilton and Pro Bowler Jack Doyle.

That’s just the beginning of course. The Colts also happen to have a top-13 pick and about $86 million in cap space. If the front office there is sending off assets to get a win-now option like Dalton, it’s probably going to go all-in via every avenue in the pursuit of winning a title.

So yes, the Colts would be a good destination for Dalton and given the way that franchise hoards assets lately, the Bengals would get a nice return on shipping him away while also clearing the cap hit.

While the Bears seem perfect, just keep in mind the team the Bengals play in the fourth game of every preseason from right up the highway.

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Report: Andy Dalton’s agent working with Bengals on trade

An Andy Dalton trade is inching closer to being a reality.

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An Andy Dalton trade seems like a matter of time.

The Cincinnati Bengals have made it clear — through director of player personnel Duke Tobin and otherwise — that the franchise wants to do right by Dalton on his way out the door.

A new report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport seems to confirm this, suggesting Dalton’s agent is working with the team on trade ideas.

“His agent, Jeff Nalley, has been working with the Bengals, seeking out potential teams of interest for Andy Dalton. It doesn’t sound like there has been any hardcore negotiations between teams and the Bengals but they are certainly looking at it.”

This one makes plenty of sense as the NFL combine comes to a close. All 32 teams converged on Indianapolis at an event where plenty of negotiations happen.

The Chicago Bears had reportedly talked about a Dalton trade — and we argued it would be a great win for all parties.

Where Dalton ultimately ends up is hard to say. But as free agency nears, the fates of guys like Tom Brady could decide who is willing to give up what in return for a potential starter like Dalton.

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Report: Bears looking to add established veteran QB to push Mitchell Trubisky

The word out of Indianapolis is that the Bears are looking to add an experienced veteran quarterback to challenge starter Mitchell Trubisky.

The closer we get to free agency, the more talk of the Bears quarterback situation permeates the conversation in Chicago’s offseason.

That’s only ramped up with all 32 teams under the same roof at the NFL Scouting Combine, where there’s as much focus on impending free agency as there is on the prospects they’re there to watch.

The word out of Indianapolis is that the Bears are looking to add an experienced veteran quarterback to challenge starter Mitchell Trubisky, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The news doesn’t really come as a surprise, as general manager Ryan Pace indicated as much during his Scouting Combine press conference Tuesday. That, and Pace put off considering exercising Trubisky’s fifth-year option until the May deadline.

“We believe in [Trubisky], we support him and we’re going to be better around him,” Pace said. “But I think competition brings out the best in everybody.”

The Bears have already had discussions with the Bengals about a potential trade for veteran Andy Dalton. But the Bears could also explore the free agent market, which will be rich with experienced veteran quarterbacks.

Regardless, the Bears will be adding some new faces to their quarterbacks room this offseason, as Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray are free agents.

While the Bears would love to see Trubisky take that next step, bringing in an experienced veteran gives them insurance if that’s not the case.

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Andy Dalton to Bears would be big win for Bengals and veteran QB

A Dalton-to-Bears move would make too much sense.

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Friday, word broke the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears have at least poked around the idea of an Andy Dalton trade.

And sometimes the most obvious thing is simply the best and ends up working out.

Dalton to the Bears makes too much sense on a ton of levels. Here’s a primer for such an idea.

 

Bengals get…

This feels like a second-round-pick-or-bust scenario. After all, the Bears have two second-round picks and nothing else in the 2020 draft worth noting.

While that’s a steep asking price for a veteran passer, the Bengals are in a safe position to ask it. If Chicago fancies itself a contender, why wouldn’t it pay up to go get the missing piece? And even if Dalton bombs in the Windy City, he’s a one-year rental.

The Bengals have the luxury of sweetening the pot too. They can offer to eat some of Dalton’s $17.7 million cap hit in the move, securing a second-round pick. If not, maybe they settle for picks in future drafts.

 

Dalton gets…

A shot at a Super Bowl.

No, seriously. The Bears are a year removed from winning 12 games and just went 8-8 in a division that sent two teams to the playoffs.

That team just got 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions from Mitchell Trubisky. Yet, Dalton would get to work with an offensive mind in Matt Nagy and a great-looking supporting cast headed up by David Montogomery, Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller. Don’t forget the Khalil Mack-led defense.

If the Bengals want to do right by Dalton, shipping him to this situation certainly fits the bill.

 

Bears win too…

This all applies to the Bears too. Coughing up a second-round pick or whatever they end up agreeing to — and perhaps going on to contend — would be getting off lightly for taking Trubisky over…Patrick Mahomes.

A quality quarterback changes everything and besides the most important position of all, the Bears look good.

 

The hiccup…

The quarterback market this year could cause the Bengals some problems. We’re talking about these potential free agents, if not trade candidates:

  • Tom Brady
  • Drew Brees
  • Dak Prescott
  • Philip Rivers
  • Teddy Bridgewater
  • Jameis Winston
  • Marcus Mariota
  • Ryan Tannehill
  • Cam Newton

If Chicago wants to call Cincinnati’s bluff that it won’t just up and cut Dalton to clear his cap hit, it can comfortably do so and still get an upgrade at the position. The Bengals need to decide quickly how much they want to ask for or risk getting nothing at all.

 

Does it happen?

Maybe? The Bengals have very clearly been signaling through the media that they’re open for business on the Dalton front. Duke Tobin’s “hey whoa, we’d keep Dalton next year” stance made that pretty clear. They’d like to get something of value from Dalton’s departure but risk not playing ball well enough (they don’t do this often). As long as Cincinnati “settles” for any sort of compensation at all, this one could very well happen. It’s safe to presume the two sides could have laid out some groundwork while in Indianapolis this week.

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