Hub Arkush: Andy Dalton is not what the doctor ordered for the Chicago Bears

Apparently Day 2 of the NFL’s legal tampering period was quarterback day, as Ryan Fitzpatrick (Washington), Jameis Winston (New Orleans), Tyrod Taylor (Houston) and Jacoby Brissett (Miami) all came off the board, and finally – either according to plan or out of panic after those four were gone – the Bears are on the scoreboard with their first new free agent for 2021, Andy Dalton.

Unfortunately, it’s going to be a while before the official scorer gives them a single, double, triple, home run or an error.

This much is eminently clear however: It isn’t going to be a hit with Bears fans.

Dalton is not coming to Chicago to be the answer to the team’s 70-year-old problem at the position. He’s here to improve the situation with more veteran competition for the short run.

Dalton’s presence does not hinder the Bears’ opportunity to still pursue a Derek Carr, Jimmy Garropolo, Marcus Mariota or – although they are almost certain not to be traded – a Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson, should the Seahawks or Texans change their minds.

Any of those teams almost certainly would like a veteran QB capable of starting or being a backup as part of the return in any deal, and either Dalton or Nick Foles would fill that bill.

What it does say is general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy are convinced with near absolute certainty that Mitch Trubisky isn’t going to be a starting, winning quarterback in the NFL, and the Bears’ door now has slammed shut on him.

The irony there is what Trubisky has been in his four years in the league is better than Dalton.

Dalton over the past four seasons is 18-31, including 7-21 in his past 28 starts, throwing 76 TDs and 45 interceptions, an abysmal TD-to-interception ratio by today’s NFL standards. Trubisky has gone 29-21 with an ever-so-slightly better 64-37 TD-to-INT ratio.

More to the point, when I asked Nagy a couple of weeks ago what traits he’d be looking for in a new quarterback, he said leadership, decision-making and the ability to make plays with his arm and his legs.

I don’t know what kind of leader Dalton is, but he does not have anywhere near the ability to make plays with his legs that Trubisky does, and he has proved to be a poor decision-maker.

Pace and Nagy may be absolutely correct about Trubisky’s future, and it is actually a bit admirable they’re willing to cut the cord and force Pace to own the mistake if it turns out that’s what Mitch was.

But it’s nearly impossible to see how the Bears are better with Dalton and Foles at quarterback than they were with Foles and Trubisky.

What Bears fans do have to ask themselves is whether Dalton can be better than say Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Joe Flacco, Mark Rypien, etc. I’m pretty sure you know where I’m going.

Dilfer was 28 when he joined the Ravens in 2000 for his one season with them, in which he won a Super Bowl.

Although Dalton will turn 34 at midseason this year, he is much more accomplished than Dilfer ever was with the Bucs.

The other side of the story also includes the dynamic partnership Dalton formed with wide receiver A.J. Green, who joined him in Cincinnati as rookies in 2011, that could very well end with a bust in Canton for Green and produced five playoff seasons in five years between 2011 and 2015.

Dalton could be very good for Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson.

Of course, the biggest rap on Dalton and his coach in Cincinnati, Marvin Lewis, is they were 0-5 in those five playoffs.

Here is what Bears fans should focus on now: Should the team be successful in its pursuit of offensive tackle Trent Williams or another big swing at the position, it does create the possibility of 2018-type magic with a few other additions, and it could free them up to maneuver in the first round to take a quarterback if there’s one they love.

If they don’t fix the tackle position or trade for a real upgrade at quarterback – preferably both – 2021 is likely to be a very long season in Chicago.