(670 The Score) The Bears signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton with the intention of him being the team's starter.
Dalton joined the Bears on a one-year, $10-million deal that includes $3 million available in incentives. He was attracted to Chicago in part because of the chance to lead the team as the starting quarterback.
"They told me I was the starter," Dalton said in a Zoom media session Thursday. "That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here ... That's the assurance I got."
Dalton, 33, acknowledged the possibility that the Bears could draft a quarterback in April, saying he has "no problem" with that potential scenario.
Dalton has played in 144 games, starting 142, during the course of his 10-year NFL career, which included nine seasons as the Bengals' starter. He has completed 62.2% of his passes for 33,764 yards, 218 touchdowns and 126 interceptions in his career, during which he has earned Pro Bowl honors three times.
Dalton completed 64.9% of his passes for 2,170 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions while posting an 87.3 quarterback rating for the Cowboys in 2020.
The only other quarterback on the Bears' roster is 32-year-old Nick Foles, who at this time is set to be Dalton's backup.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.