The Chicago Bears snapped their five-game losing streak on Thanksgiving, defeating the winless Detroit Lions by a score of 16-14. Quarterback Andy Dalton led the team behind 317 passing yards and a touchdown, which resulted in him being named player of the game. The win was good for Dalton as he has faced a lot of unjust criticism from fans and analysts during his brief time with the Bears.

Andy Dalton joined Tom Rinaldi after securing the @ChicagoBears Thanksgiving Day W! pic.twitter.com/iSXHVVpXmi

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 25, 2021

Dalton’s Short Bears’ Tenure Has Been Mired With Unjust Criticism

When the Bears signed Dalton during free agency, many Bears fans instantly hated the signing because they had wanted the team to acquire a more talented quarterback. General manager Ryan Pace desperately tried trading for an elite quarterback in the offseason as trade rumors linked the Bears to several quarterbacks. Some of the top-level quarterbacks that the Bears were trying to acquire included Carson Wentz, Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson, Matthew Stafford, and Russell Wilson. Chicago offered as much value as they could to convince the Seattle Seahawks to trade Wilson, but once that wasn’t a possibility, they immediately signed Dalton.

"The Seahawks are not trading Russell Wilson, they never were going to trade him… You don't lose a top-3 QB, and absorb a $39M cap hit which is what it would have been if they were to trade him to the Chicago Bears."

— @marcelluswiley pic.twitter.com/8l51avjRc3

— Speak For Yourself (@SFY) March 17, 2021

On the first night of the 2021 NFL Draft, when the Bears traded up to select Fields with 11th selection, fans and analysts immediately demanded that the Bears start the Ohio State quarterback when the season began. When head coach Matt Nagy confirmed that Dalton would be Chicago’s starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, fans and some media members were furious.

Although many believed Fields was more talented than Dalton, Dalton enabled the Bears to take their time and develop their rookie quarterback without live game reps. Chicago had a veteran quarterback that had been named to the Pro Bowl three times and that had led the Cincinnati Bengals to five playoff appearances. Dalton was the perfect veteran quarterback for the Bears, as he was signed to just a one-year deal.

NFC North QB check-in

Packers: QB in the press conference showing feet.
Lions: It really may not matter who the QB is…
Bears: Justin Fields is hurt so Andy Dalton is in charge. Gross.
Vikings: ……Kirk Cousins.

— Andrew Hammond (@ahammFreePress) November 24, 2021

Dalton was the Bears quarterback for six quarters to start the 2021 season before suffering a knee injury during the second quarter of the week two game against the Bengals. Fans and the media were critical of the Bears’ offense for their week one performance because the offense lacked excitement from the passing attack. Dalton passed for 208 yards but didn’t complete a pass longer than 19 yards. Against the Bengals, some fans were happy with the injury because it meant more playing time and a chance for Fields to start.

Dalton would miss two games with a bruised knee but would not regain the starting quarterback role from Fields as the team decided to name the rookie quarterback the starter for the remainder of the season. There was controversy in that decision as the decision appeared to come from Bears’ ownership instead of Nagy. Regardless, fans and the media got what they wanted as Dalton was demoted for Fields, despite not playing poorly enough to warrant losing his starting quarterback role.

Matt Nagy thought it was smart for the #Bears to keep starting mediocre veteran Andy Dalton instead of giving Justin Fields meaningful reps in his rookie season.

It took George McCaskey to step in to get Fields to start. That says it all about Nagy's abilities as a head coach.

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) November 24, 2021

Dalton Has Been A True Professional Throughout All The Unfair Treatment

Since returning from the knee injury in week 5, Dalton has been a true team player for the Bears as he has been ready to go at any moment. In the week five game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Fields suffered a knee injury that briefly took him out of the game. Dalton came in on a 3rd and seven situation and immediately completed a pass to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for eight yards resulting in a first down before the rookie quarterback came back in the game. The first down completion to Goodwin was pivotal as the Bears would score a touchdown later in the drive to extend their lead to 14-3.

Against the Ravens last week, Dalton came in for the injured Fields, who suffered cracked ribs. On his first pass coming off the bench, the veteran quarterback completed a 23-yard pass to tight end, Jimmy Graham. On the next play, Dalton completed a quick screen throw to wide receiver Darnell Mooney as Mooney raced to score a 60-yard touchdown to give the Bears a brief 7-6 lead. The former Pro Bowl quarterback would complete arguably the most significant pass of the Bears season later in the game in a clutch situation. with less than two minutes left in the game and Chicago trailing 9-7, Dalton would complete a thrilling 49-yard touchdown pass to Goodwin on 4th and 11. The touchdown should have been a game-winning score, but the Bears’ defense would surrender the lead and the game.

Andy Dalton. RAVENS KILLER.pic.twitter.com/g4qIZXNclS

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 21, 2021

Despite Dalton’s ability to provide decent quarterback play as a backup, fans were disappointed when Fields was ruled out for the Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions. Much of criticism and dislike for the Bears’ veteran quarterback has little to do with his actual play, and more to do with the fact that he isn’t the quarterback that fans like. Dalton’s presence gave the Bears an ideal situation in which they didn’t need to rush Fields into the starting quarterback role if he wasn’t ready, but fans never wanted that.

Looks like we’re getting Andy Dalton on Thanksgiving, #Bears fans. At least his appearance will make the fanbase more…thankful…for Justin Fields.

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) November 23, 2021

Dalton deserves to be commended for his response to all of the unjust adversity he has received since joining the Bears. Since filling in for Fields, he has been one of the main reasons why the Bears have been in a position to win their last two games. Against the Lions, Dalton prevented Chicago from being a national laughing stock by leading the offense on a game-winning drive against a winless Detroit team. Many fans and the media have been quick to include Dalton in the infamous group of bad Bears’ quarterbacks, but so far this season, he has played well in the face of misguided anger, something that deserves praise.