It’s almost finished. With two weeks to go before the NFL draft, the Chicago Bears should be about set in their board. The scouting combine, pro days and private meetings are all but done. Now the front office and coaching staff conduct their final discussions. No doubt the Bears draft target debate remains one of the hottest topics among fans. People are just dying to know which way they might be leaning.
Though he’s not a member of the organization anymore, Greg Gabriel knows Chicago well. He worked for them as a scout for years and understands how front office machinations go. Putting that experience and his own knowledge of the Bears’ needs to good use, he feels the direction the arrow points becomes fairly obvious.
GM Ryan Pace plans on grabbing a quarterback.
Bears draft target cross-hairs are on QB
Gabriel explained in detail why that is in his latest column for CBS Sports. It’s felt that Chicago has no proven talent at all on their roster at quarterback. Mike Glennon is the only one signed beyond 2017 and even he comes with question marks. He hasn’t started a game since 2014 and there is no guarantee he’s gotten better since that time.
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Besides that Glennon has a contract clause where the Bears could easily dismiss him in 2018 with minimal impact on their salary cap. That indicates a certain lack of confidence that he really is their answer. With this being the case, it only makes sense that they look to add another talented body at such a crucial position.
“The Bears showed interest in three of the top four quarterbacks in March…
I’ve always felt that this quarterback class is much better than many of the analysts have given it credit for. The fact that there have been numerous private workouts in recent weeks with many of the quarterbacks backs this line of thinking. In fact, it has become quite apparent that there will be four quarterbacks drafted in the first round. How high they go remains to be seen, but I would bet at least two go in the top 10. While there’s no Andrew Luck in this class, I can easily say that the top ones are at least as good as Marcus Mariota.
Figuring all that into the equation, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Bears select a quarterback at No. 3.”
Putting the pieces together
There are some fact floating out there that seem to back this thinking up. A big one is the reported divide between the Cleveland Browns coaching staff and their front office. Some feel they should draft pass rusher Myles Garrett as planned. Others think they have to grab the best quarterback on the board. Most likely Trubisky whom they reportedly love.
Just had an NFL exec tell me, "Don't be surprised if Myles Garrett isn't the No. 1 pick." Exec convinced a QB is in discussion at No. 1.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 12, 2017
This sudden fear was likely brought on by growing rumors that Trubisky would not make it out of the top five. Considering the Browns don’t pick again until #12 overall, this means they would likely miss out on their favorite quarterback. It might be the Bears who are creating this havoc. Multiple draft analysts have hinted they like him for months, which is why some of them continue to mock draft him at #3 overall.
ICYMI, updated 2-round mock draft. I think Trubisky goes high (just not No. 1 to the #Browns): https://t.co/s26PmWmhGF
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 12, 2017
Think of it this way. Which quarterback depth chart would look more exciting?
- Mike Glennon
- Mark Sanchez
- Connor Shaw
Or
- Mike Glennon
- Mitch Trubisky
- Mark Sanchez
It’s really not even worth a discussion. Sure there are risks in taking a quarterback that high. There always is. At the same time this is something the Bears have put off for over a decade. If they’re not going to do it now, when they have the high enough pick to make it happen, then when?
Stop overthinking it
People keep saying the 2018 class will be better, but there is no possible way to know that. The Bears won’t be guaranteed a high choice next year anyway. Isn’t it logical to get the top quarterback while they have the ammunition to do so? Besides there is also another indisputable fact. There really is no draft prospect (besides Garrett) who is any more of a guaranteed success than Trubisky.
No seriously. That’s the truth.
Solomon Thomas is a dynamic rusher but he’s also a tweener in terms of his body type. Not the most ideal fit for any particular scheme. Jonathan Allen has athletic limitations and a history of injury issues with his shoulders. Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore also have bothersome health concerns. Besides, with respect to their talents as defensive backs, none of them would ever impact a franchise half as much as a potential franchise quarterback. That goes for Jamal Adams as well.
Pace has dodged the quarterback question for two years. The depth of this 2017 class is poor and odds are the best ones will be gone as early as the second round. All of that adds to the evidence that there may never be a better time for Chicago to finally get that QB of the future.
