Adam Schefter Reveals What an Andy Dalton Trade Would Cost for Bears

All the buzz coming out of the scouting combine is pretty much what people expected. The Chicago Bears are on the hunt for competition at quarterback this offseason. Somebody who can come in and push Mitch Trubisky. Preferably a person with "extensive starting experience." No doubt somebody who can read defenses and throw the ball with timing and accuracy. Things Trubisky has struggled with throughout his first three years. Hence why Andy Dalton often a name that comes up.

It's no secret the 32-year old is on the outs with the Cincinnati Bengals. They're a virtual lock to draft Joe Burrow 1st overall in the draft this April. Dalton expressed a desire to go someplace else and the team has agreed to help facilitate a trade. While there are wild rumors about how much this could cost, ESPN's Adam Schefter provided much-needed clarity on this subject for NFL Live.

"The interesting part here is what do the Bengals do with Andy Dalton? Because now they have to move on from him and find a trade partner. And we look for what they might get back for him: We go back to one year ago at this Combine - where basically, the Denver Broncos traded a fourth-round pick to Baltimore for Joe Flacco - a mid-round pick. I would expect that the Cincinnati Bengals would get the same thing back for Andy Dalton. And once they do that - then we'll say yet again - just more evidence that Joe Burrow is the No. 1 overall pick."

Bears are in a complicated spot with Andy Dalton idea

A 4th round pick for a proven starting quarterback isn't a terrible price. Dalton isn't over the hill and still managed to throw for over 3,400 yards in just 13 games despite playing in a badly undermanned offense. That being said, the situation is difficult for the Bears. They don't have a lot of higher draft choices. After their two picks in the 2nd round, they won't select again under the end of the 4th round with their projected compensatory pick.

Then there is the $17.7 million cap hit they take on if they did trade for him. As of now, the Bears have just $26 million in cap space. That might change if the new CBA gets ratified before free agency begins, which could add an additional $20 million to that number. However, as of now, it would be expensive for a cash-strapped team to add what would essentially be an insurance plan in case Trubisky flops this season.

While Dalton might make sense for them, the price tag could prove a bit steep for what he brings to the table.