Bears 2021 starting quarterback odds: Chicago apparently down to Andy Dalton, first-round rookie as competition to Nick Foles

It has been widely reported that Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace is willing to give up just about everything possible to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson from Seattle, but it's also much more likely than not that Wilson stays put in the Pacific Northwest for one more season at least. Entering Tuesday, the Bears still had just Nick Foles on the QB depth chart and already had lost out on potential free agents such as Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Thus, it's looking now that Chicago's only realistic options as Foles competition in 2021 are free agent addition Andy Dalton, who just signed Tuesday, and selecting a QB in the first round of April's draft.

The Bears weren't really linked to Newton, who re-signed with the Patriots, but had moderate interest in Fitzpatrick, who signed with Washington. They were very interested in Winston, who smartly stayed put with the Saints.

Dalton, who apparently got a one-year, $10 million deal, played last season for the Cowboys and was 4-5 as a starter (also 4-5 against the spread) after Dak Prescott was injured. Dalton previously spent nine years as the starting quarterback for the Bengals. Adding the 33-year-old Dalton as another bridge-type quarterback frankly makes no sense because he is no better than the 32-year-old Foles. Chicago could have signed Dalton last offseason, but Pace instead gave up a fourth-round pick to Jacksonville for Foles.

The  thought of a roster with Foles and Dalton in training camp is making Bears fans go absolutely insane on social media. Chicago also lost out on trading for Carson Wentz, who landed in Indianapolis.

There are some rumors out there that Seattle coach Pete Carroll is enamored with the Jets' Sam Darnold and that perhaps a three-way deal could be worked out where Wilson ends up in Chicago, but I wouldn't count on it. Wilson, 32, who has a no-trade clause, has made public that the Bears, Saints, Raiders and Cowboys are the only teams he'll accept a trade to. Dallas is no longer an option after the Cowboys signed Prescott to a long-term extension. 

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter: Chicago made "a very aggressive pursuit" of Wilson and the Bears were told that Seattle is not trading him at this time.

As of this writing, the Bears haven't added a single free agent other than Dalton as they don't have much cap space. Chicago also doesn't have much draft capital to legitimately swing a trade for Wilson or Houston's Deshaun Watson. The Bears are currently +5000 to win Super Bowl 56 at William Hill Sportsbook -- their odds actually rose from +4000 after signing Dalton!? -- and Matt Nagy would be our early favorite as first coach fired in 2021 as things stand.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: As of today, who will be Chicago's Week 1 starting QB in 2021?

• Andy Dalton Even
• Nick Foles +150
• Rookie +1000

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