As the Chicago Bears really get into the thick of training camp here in Week 2, there have already been some interesting, positive storylines to come out of the first week.
Of course, the most chatter has been and always will be in regards to the quarterback position. With rookie Justin Fields garnering a lot of the attention, there has been immense pressure placed on veteran Andy Dalton to perform.
Not only does Dalton have pressure to prove he belongs, but also help mentor Fields. It’s a tough juggling act, but according to many reports over the first week, he’s done an excellent job.
Over the first week, Dalton has been rather surprising. He’s definitely turned heads by his play during 7-on-7 drills.
Chicago Bears coaches and teammates have praised Andy Dalton for his poise and play through one week of training camp.
“Andy is a pro,” said wide receiver Allen Robinson. The Bears’ number one wideout went on to give Dalton some props after a recent practice:
“He’s played a lot of ball. He’s played in different offenses. Played with some pretty high-profile receivers. He’s a guy who knows the game, knows different schemes, knows defenses, so even being able to learn from a guy like him based on his prior experiences and some of the things he has been through in this league.”
It has been pretty apparent that Dalton is relishing in the opportunity to take on the Bears’ starting quarterback job. Week 1 against a daunting Los Angeles Rams defense will answer a lot of question, sure, but that’s quite a ways away from right now.
The “special sauce” when it comes to the quarterback position this year is definitely going to be quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. Head coach Matt Nagy has been thoroughly impressed with Flip’s offseason plan for his quarterbacks, calling him “psychotic” with his drills.
“Flip is like psychotic with fundamentals…”
Nagy told reporters that his new quarterbacks coach lives for those one-on-one quarterback drills. He talked about Flip being so meticulous with those drills and with his process that it’s going to be unbelievable to watch throughout camp.
Between the way Dalton has impressed through the first week of camp, and adding in a quarterback guru like DeFilippo, we may be surprised to see how long Dalton lasts as the Bears’ starter.
Beleive me, I am one of the last people who thinks Dalton will go beyond Week 4 as the Bears’ starter. I don’t see Dalton lasting beyond that point. However, if he plays well enough for the Bears to get a win or two over those first few games, it will at least give the team a chance to stay in a playoff race when Fields ultimately takes over.
