Dalton has been assured he's the Bears' starting QB

The decision was easy for quarterback Andy Dalton.

"When you hear that you're going to be the starter, that's an enticing pitch," he said.

The 33-year-old signed with the Bears Wednesday on a one-year contract, reportedly worth $10 million.

Dalton met with the local media for the first time via Zoom Thursday. His decision to sign came down primarily to two things: The Bears told him he would be their starting quarterback, and his prior relationship with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.

"They told me I was the starter - that was one of the reasons why I wanted to come here," Dalton said. "Every conversation I've had has been that, so that's the assurance I've gotten."

Dalton spent nine seasons with Cincinnati before signing a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys last season. He has started 142 games in his NFL career, far more than Nick Foles (55) and more than any Bears starter since Jay Cutler. He has quarterbacked five teams to the playoffs, but never won a playoff game.

The question is how long are the Bears going to keep him around?

He's a safe, reliable veteran, who isn't going to wow anyone, but who can take a team to the playoffs with the right supporting cast. He was never general manager Ryan Pace's Plan A this offseason. The Bears reportedly struck out in their attempt to trade for Seattle's Russell Wilson. Dalton was well aware that he was Pace's fallback plan.

Asked directly about the Wilson trade discussions, Dalton said, "I was in constant contact with everybody throughout this whole process. I knew what was going into it. And when it (a trade) wasn't happening and this worked out for both of us ... I was ecstatic."

Fans need not go too far back to remember when another Bears quarterback was assured he was the starter. In 2017, Mike Glennon signed believing he was the starter. He was blindsided when Pace drafted Mitch Trubisky second overall.

Glennon started four games before Trubisky moved in.

Dalton said he is prepared to mentor a young quarterback should the Bears draft one next month.

"I've been the starter and helped the backup throughout my career," Dalton said. "I think it's what you can do to help the next guy. We'll see if that's the case."

What does this all mean for Foles? It doesn't look good. If the Bears can find someone to take him off their hands, they probably will. If not, he could be the backup, with a potential rookie as the third-stringer.

Dalton said he has spoken with some of his new teammates, but not Allen Robinson. The Bears used the franchise tag on him last week and Robinson wasn't happy.

"I've talked to a lot of guys on the team," Dalton said. "It's been awesome for me to join a new team and have so many guys reach out and so many guys welcome me to the team. I'm very thankful ... It shows the culture we have here."

Dalton's relationship with coach Matt Nagy was limited prior to this week. Dalton said all his free agency discussions took place virtually.

As he studied the Bears' offense, Dalton was intrigued by some of the adjustments made in December when they improved their run game and overall efficiency.

Dalton's reception from fans was not favorable as news broke. Dalton doesn't mind. He's ready to turn the page and ready to start Week 1.

"I'm here now," Dalton said. "Hopefully everybody gets a chance to see who I am as a player, as a person, see what we're going to do with this organization. I'm excited about the opportunity. There's been a lot of talk, but I'm not worried about any of that."