The Chicago Bears have been connected multiple times already to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. It's a rumor that has picked up lots of steam in the past week. Multiple sources have indicated GM Ryan Pace was in contact with the Cincinnati Bengals about their asking price for the 32-year old. The Bears are in the hunt for veteran experience behind Mitch Trubisky. Somebody who can push the young quarterback in competition.
Dalton makes plenty of sense on paper. A four-time Pro Bowler who took his team to the playoffs five times. Somebody who can lead and run an offense well. The problem is the Bears aren't in the best position to swing such a deal. Word is the Bengals have put their price tag at a 2nd round pick, which is exceedingly rich. Not to mention the $17.7 million salary-cap, according to Raging Bull casino, hit he'd bring with him.
While Dalton is possible, Adam Jahn of The Athletic heard down at the combine that these talks could be masking the Bears' actual target.
"Coming out of the combine, there are two to seriously consider: Andy Dalton and Case Keenum...
...Keenum, on the other hand, is a free agent. He played on a one-year, $3.5 million contract last season with Washington. Keenum, who turned 32 last month, had a 91.3 passer rating and 43.5 QBR in 10 games last season, which included eight starts.
Are Dalton and Keenum better than Trubisky?
“They are the same guy,” an NFL evaluator said of the two veterans."
Case Keenum has advantages over Andy Dalton
Always in situations like this, it's important to follow the money. Chicago has $26 million in salary cap space. Think about this. From their perspective, would it make sense to give up a draft pick and $17.7 million in cap space for Dalton or spend maybe a third of that and no pick to get Keenum? The answer is obvious. People will say Dalton is the more proven player, and that's fair. He was a much more established starter during his career.
However, their careers haven't been all that different. Since 2015, Dalton has a passer rating of 89.7. Keenum has an 86.9 and Dalton was playing with way more talent for most of that span. Keenum has a better arm and also accomplished something the other hasn't. He's won a playoff game, taking the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC championship in 2017. So it makes sense the Bears might view him as a similar target to Dalton. A cheaper one too.
Word is the Cleveland Browns have a ton of interest in Keenum. That could make getting him difficult. Then again, the Browns are still working with Baker Mayfield as the unquestioned starter. Keenum might see Chicago as a better opportunity to be a starter. Is it an ideal solution to the problem? No. Still, it's something.
