Let’s face it, seven years into the Ryan Pace era and the Chicago Bears are still in the market for a quarterback. To make it all worse, even Pace’s biggest swing, which was Mitchell Trubisky five years ago, was never labeled as a surefire pick, simply because there were more talented quarterbacks on the board.
Now, Pace and head coach Matt Nagy are once again left trying to figure out the issue that’s plagued the Bears for nearly seven decades. This offseason is expected by many to be musical chairs for quarterbacks. We’ve already seen Philip Rivers retire with Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff getting moved. Then there are rumors surrounding Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, and Derek Carr, each of the three that would be significant upgrades over anything Chicago had at quarterback in 2020.
Factor in the NFL Draft featuring Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, and Trey Lance, all four of whom could be realistic options for Chicago. However, to acquire Fields or Wilson, Chicago would need to trade up into the top-10.
Chicago Bears will be aggressive but not smart at quarterback this offseason
Considering the current state of the Bears, it’s hard to trust anything that Pace and Nagy do right now. The two have overpaid for a number of players in the past, including guys like Robert Quinn and Jimmy Graham, two aging veterans who could’ve been signed for much cheaper than what the Bears paid.
When it comes to quarterback, last offseason, let’s not forget that both Pace and Nagy’s “collaboration” landed them Nick Foles, which also cost a 2020 fourth-round pick and $21 million dollars guaranteed.
Now, in a year where the aforementioned head coach and general manager know that they have to do everything in their power to save their jobs, it means they’ll do anything possible to acquire a quarterback. That means Chicago could end up with a reclamation project or someone like Watson.
In the NFL, it’s totally okay to be aggressive. The Bears can look at the Los Angeles Rams, who just traded two first-round picks for Stafford in an effort to upgrade the quarterback position. The Rams were smart about how they acquired Stafford, knowing he’s the missing piece they need for a Super Bowl run.
It’s hard to see the Bears doing the same this offseason. Will they be aggressive? Of course. However, will they be smart? That’s the biggest question that will need to be answered, knowing Chicago’s quarterback room in a few months could be the same as it was in 2020 or be entirely reshaped.
