Relationships are everything in the NFL. It helped make the difference for quarterback Andy Dalton with the Bears.
When Dalton was asked Thursday what attracted him to the Bears, his prior relationship with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was the first thing he mentioned. Lazor was Dalton’s quarterbacks coach with the Bengals in 2016 and his offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018 after replacing Ken Zampese two games into the 2017 season.
Despite 41 sacks, Dalton still posted a 91.8 passer rating and made the Pro Bowl in 2016. Dalton’s production dipped in Lazor’s two seasons as offensive coordinator — an 86.