LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- When veteran quarterback Andy Dalton joined the Bears on a one-year deal in March, the thought of his new team drafting quarterback Justin Fields seemed unrealistic.
Even so, the 33-year-old Dalton prepared himself for the possibility of the Bears drafting a prized rookie quarterback who would arrive in Chicago and challenge his place as the team's starter this season. And that's what has happened after Fields surprisingly dropped and the Bears traded up to No. 11 overall to select him.
Through three weeks of training camp and one preseason game filled with hype, Fields has been the center of attention for the Bears -- while Dalton has been placed into an uncomfortable position.
But now in his 11th NFL season, Dalton is taking it all in stride with the rookie Fields.
"There's so much excitement with Justin, and it's deservedly so," Dalton said. "I mean, he’s a first-round pick and just with everything that’s gone on here, there’s a lot of excitement with it. But I didn’t feel like there wasn’t excitement for me either. I think for us if we just go out and operate how we know we can do, I think the fans will be excited when we score lots of touchdowns this year.
"I know who I am. I know who I was created to be. I know where my identity lies. Do I want the fans behind me and this team? Yes. Do I want them behind Justin? Absolutely I do."
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The Bears signed Dalton to a one-year, $10-million deal in March following weeks of speculation that they could make a major splash at quarterback on the trade market. Instead, general manager Ryan Pace began to focus on arms to find in the draft. For his part, Dalton acknowledged after signing in Chicago that he saw the likelihood of the team selecting a quarterback in the draft.
The Bears informed Dalton upon signing him that he would be the team's starting quarterback. And immediately after the Bears selected Fields, coach Matt Nagy called Dalton and reiterated his place as Chicago's top quarterback. Those plans haven't changed yet, with Dalton still in line to start the regular-season opener against the Rams on Sept. 12.
Though the excitement for Fields' future is rising to a crescendo, Dalton isn't letting the noise affect him.
"Justin is going to have his time and Justin is going to have a great career," Dalton said. "But right now, it's my time, so my focus is on being the best player I can be for this team and helping this team win."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.