Ryan Pace was never going to give away any details on what the Chicago Bears have planned at quarterback. Yet the media had to ask because that’s their job. After that it’s about reading between the lines to see if his comments mean anything. The Chicago Bears need a quarterback. He knows this. That decision could well determine his fate as GM.

Given his track record, most people assume that Pace is planning something big. He’s never feared making the bold move. See Mitch Trubisky in 2017 and Khalil Mack in 2018 for reminders. If he feels there is a QB out there he can get who will change the fortunes of this franchise? He won’t hesitate to do what is necessary to get him. However, Pace made it clear in his latest press conference that he isn’t going to let desperation drive him. He won’t make a splash just for the sake of making a splash.

“It just depends,” Pace said. “It depends on the opportunity. It’s not like we go into this and say we’re going to take a big swing just to make headlines and make a splash. It depends on what’s presented to us.”

When it comes to resources, he understands the Bears don’t have a lot.

So he can’t just go throwing them away on a forlorn hope. He has to make sure any big move has the highest chances possible of success. He admitted that he’s hearing the same media chatter as everybody else. Guys like Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson being unhappy. At the same time, he also hinted ever so carefully that a strong possibility exists something unexpected happens.

“As a staff we’ve got to be able to pivot and adjust along the way to some things that we might not expect,” Pace said. “I think that (circles back) to the number of players we’ve evaluated and just being ready for every scenario. There’s a lot of hard work that’s gone on behind the scenes to allow us to maneuver through a really unprecedented offseason.”

Pace certainly made it sound like he expects there could be one or two moves at quarterback that people might not see coming. Particularly once the 2021 salary cap is finalized. He said the team believes it will settle at $180 million. If so, then a lot of teams will have some serious work to do getting under the cap. Could this end up working in the Bears’ favor?

So who could Ryan Pace be talking about?

When examining the landscape of quarterbacks, there are three notable names that people haven’t talked about much as actually being options but still could be. First is Ben Roethlisberger. He has a monster cap hit that the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t afford in 2021. Ownership said the two sides are hoping to get that matter addressed but it’s far from a foregone conclusion.

Then there is Drew Brees. All signs pointed to the 42-year old retiring after last season but a recent workout video suggested he may be having second thoughts. If the New Orleans Saints aren’t keen on bringing him back for another year, that is another option. Last but not least is Matt Ryan. Like Roethlisberger, the veteran QB is carrying a massive cap hit this year. One the Atlanta Falcons can’t really afford.

There is also the matter that the team has the 4th overall pick in the draft.

Many believe this is the perfect time to draft a new quarterback. In the event that happens, moving Ryan out would make sense for both parties. So that is another possibility. Remember the comments Ryan Pace had in that video above. “Lean on the relationships you have in the league.” Keep this in mind.

Pace has deep ties to the Saints GM Mickey Loomis. The two worked together for over a decade. It’s fair to think he has pretty solid information on what the Brees plans are. Then there is Terry Fontenot who was just hired as Falcons GM. Pace worked with him as a fellow scout and personnel guy from 2003 to 2014 in New Orleans. So they have a strong relationship as well.

Would you take Ryan, Brees, or Roethlisberger as short-term bridge options over guys like Alex Smith, Marcus Mariota, or Ryan Fitzpatrick? Certainly sounds like the Bears would.

No doubt one of those three guys would look pretty odd in navy blue but certainly would put up points. That could end up making you a lot of money if you use PointsBet. Just use the promo code Mockery and get two risk-free bets for up to $2000. If the Chicago Bears trust them, then it’s worth a look.