LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Before the first full practice of his first game week as the Bears' starting quarterback, Andy Dalton walked slowly alongside new practice squad member Magnus Hunt as they shared a conversation.
Since joining the Bears on a one-year deal in March, the 33-year-old Dalton has focused on establishing himself as a leader and building relationships with teammates -- whether that's organizing private throwing sessions with his receivers, inviting rookie quarterback Justin Fields to dinner with his family or welcoming in a new member of the practice squad. It's how a starting quarterback is supposed to act.
Now in his 11th professional season, Dalton is set to begin performing in the NFL's most uncomfortable starting quarterback job beginning Sunday, when the Bears visit the Rams at SoFi Stadium. Dalton has been tasked with leading the Bears to wins while the promising Fields breathes down his neck.
Dalton has already heard the boos at Soldier Field and calls for Fields to start. He doesn't know how long this opportunity in Chicago will last, but he won't mind the pressure to perform.
"That’s the worst thing you can do, is look over your shoulder," Dalton said of Fields. "I think understanding that is key, tuning out the stuff you don’t need to focus on and knowing where you need to put your time and effort and all that kind of stuff. I think that’s just where I’m at. You don’t worry about all the other stuff.
“There’s a lot that’s gone on since March, but all that’s led to this point right here. Regardless of everything that’s gone on, we’re here at Week 1, and this is exactly what I wanted."
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Since being drafted by the Bengals in the second round in 2011, Dalton has never truly been challenged as a starting quarterback. He started the season opener as a rookie and was only replaced in Cincinnati when the Bengals were winless and wanted to play for draft positioning in 2019. In Dallas in 2020, Dalton was the Cowboys' backup quarterback, starting nine games after star Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending injury.
The Bears signed Dalton well before it seemed possible they could draft Fields, but they had no reservations with how he'd handle holding off a rookie quarterback.
"It’s hard to put something up there that he hasn’t faced at some point," said Bears offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who worked with Dalton in Cincinnati for three seasons. "There tends to be very little panic from a guy who’s faced it before and has had success. That’s just kind of what he brings to the table.
"His competitiveness is definitely special and hopefully when the real lights are on and we are going on Sunday night, that shows up for everybody and it spreads."
After drafting Fields, the Bears indicated the inevitable transition plan at quarterback would be set around the rookie's readiness. That has since changed, with general manager Ryan Pace admitting last week that the team's confidence in Dalton is now driving the Bears' quarterback plan.
Dalton is set to face intense scrutiny, beginning Sunday in a primetime national broadcast that will surely pan to Fields on the sidelines each time the Bears' offense stalls against a Rams defense that ranked atop the NFL last season.
How long Dalton is starting for the Bears is something neither he nor the team can predict. That unknown would be plenty to bother most quarterbacks -- but perhaps not this one.
Dalton is ready to lead the Bears forward this season.
“I’m a very competitive person -- not only from the game of football but with everything I do," Dalton said. "I hold myself to a standard. I expect to play at a high level and help this team in any way.
"I wanted this opportunity, and now we’re looking forward to making the most of it.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.