The Chicago Bears and quarterback Andy Dalton have agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal, with the chance for the quarterback to earn another $3 million in incentives, sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Dalton, 33, spent 2020 with the Dallas Cowboys after a nine-year run as the Cincinnati Bengals‘ starter.
Signed as the backup, Dalton was pressed into duty when Cowboys starter Dak Prescott suffered a dislocated and compound fracture of his right ankle in Week 5 against the New York Giants.
In nine starts (11 appearances), Dalton had a 4-5 record, throwing for 2,170 yards and 14 touchdowns, with 8 interceptions. He had his best showing in a Week 16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing for 377 yards and three scores.
Dalton had some health issues of his own during the season, missing a game after suffering a concussion against the Washington Football Team. The following week, he was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
At the end of the season, Dalton said his hope was to find a spot as a starter and coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said he had shown enough to warrant consideration from teams.
After the Bengals selected Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Dalton became expendable and was released by Cincinnati. He posted a 74-66-2 record as the Bengals starter, taking the franchise to the playoffs five times but not winning a postseason game. He was also named to the Pro Bowl three times.
ESPN’s Todd Archer contributed to this report.