Quarterback isn’t the only issue the Chicago Bears will have to tackle this offseason but everybody knows it will be the most important. Their entire 2021 gameplan will hinge on who they pencil in as their starter opening day this September. Hopefully, they can get that settled sooner than later so they can focus on other pieces of business like Allen Robinson and the offensive line.
What everybody wants to know is obvious. Who will the Bears pursue? Last offseason the names revealed ended up being Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater. Both of which were swings and misses. This eventually led the team to trade for Nick Foles. One can hope they have better luck this time around. Do GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy have an idea of who they want?
That answer appears to be a tentative yes.
According to a source, the Bears have established a shortlist of names they’re planning to focus on as the offseason unfolds over the next couple of months. While the details of this list are being kept as secret as possible, there are two interesting notes to come out of it. The first being that Deshaun Watson is at the top. Hardly a surprise there.
The other is a belief that the team will target veterans who have manageable 2021 salary cap numbers. What does that mean? Likely they would prefer to avoid QBs who pass the $30 million thresholds. So names like Matt Ryan ($40.9 million), Jared Goff ($34.9 million), and Carson Wentz ($34.6 million) likely aren’t high on their list if any of them are available.
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On the other hand, guys like Jimmy Garoppolo ($26.9 million), Bridgewater ($23 million), Derek Carr ($22.12 million), and Watson ($15.94 million) are more probable targets. One also shouldn’t rule out Sam Darnold ($9.79 million).
Chicago Bears clearly trying to maneuver to compete in 2021
The idea behind this approach is plain to see. The Bears aren’t doing this necessarily because they’re cheap. It has more to do with their salary cap situation. If they were to add Ryan for instance, it would force them to cut very deep into their payroll to get his contract onto the books. This likely means they’d have to gut a large chunk of the defense, which would inevitably weaken it. That would defeat the purpose of what they’re trying to do.
Trading for Watson would be ideal. Not just because he’s younger but because that cap number can be easily worked around. The Chicago Bears brass wouldn’t have to make as many sacrifices, allowing them to keep this roster mostly intact. Everything comes back to the same goal. Finding a way to win in 2021. That is what Pace and Nagy need. Their jobs depend on it.
Whether they can get one of those guys on their list is the big challenge.
So much of this operation will come down to luck. They need the other team to be interested in whatever trade package they offer and they also need the quarterback to be on board with the idea of joining this organization. That is a lot of moving parts and the Bears are notorious for their bad luck at that position. Is this the year it finally changes?