Fans react to Andy Dalton's poor preseason performance

Although the Bears have insisted Andy Dalton is their starter, that might not be the reality for long. Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

NFL world reacts to Bears QB Andy Dalton's poor preseason performance

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 8/21/21

Preseason isn’t necessarily indicative of what will happen in the regular season, but Andy Dalton still isn’t inspiring a lot of confidence for the Chicago Bears.

Dalton played the entire first half of Chicago’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, and inspired little confidence. He went 11-of-17 for 146 yards, one touchdown and one interception. While he did find Rodney Adams for a 73-yard touchdown pass, it was the only real ball movement the Bears had all half, and it accounted for half of Dalton’s passing yards.

At one point, Bears fans could be heard booing Dalton and chanting for rookie Justin Fields.

Soldier Field is filled with boos for Andy Dalton and the offense, while chants of "We want Fields!" are coming from parts of the upper deck.

It's August 21.

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 21, 2021

Many on Twitter immediately went after Dalton for his play as well as the Bears for their handling of the quarterback situation.

Bears preseason game plan:

keep Andy Dalton in the game long enough until he faces a backup DB out of Jacksonville State in man coverage and can throw a TD

ignore his other 7 drives this preseason:

punt
punt
punt
punt
fumble
punt
downs

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 21, 2021

What does Dalton get out of being out there with the back up TEs the back up RB the backup Wrs the backup Tackles and RG ??? Who’s he building rhythm with ?

— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) August 21, 2021

Imagine telling your players you're starting Andy Dalton over Justin Fields Week 1. Would be absolutely humiliating.

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) August 21, 2021

Some pointed out that the Bears’ struggles on offense went beyond Dalton, pointing out one play where Chicago’s offensive line essentially folded in the face of Buffalo’s pass rush.

It’s easy to mock Andy Dalton but it’s not all him.

pic.twitter.com/tSh0G1XAfM

— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 21, 2021

The Bears trailed 34-6 at halftime. To make matters worse, Dalton was badly outplayed by ex-Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who threw for 221 yards in the first half.

Dalton has been adamant that the starting job in Chicago is his, and the Bears have taken that stance publicly as well. However, it’s very hard to take that seriously when Dalton is playing like he did on Saturday. If it continues into the regular season, the job won’t be his for long.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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