Compatible coaching staff
Talent matters plenty for a quarterback in the NFL, but time has shown that scheme fit matters almost as much. The Bears never settled on a particular system for Jay Cutler and by the time they found one that worked with Adam Gase it was too late. Part of the reason New England drafted Garoppolo was because he fit their style of offense. A quick passing attack that features play action and mostly short-to-intermediate routes for receivers. It’s meant to create throwing windows based on timing.
Garoppolo proved he’s pretty good at it through two weeks of starting last September. The question becomes which teams runs a system based off similar tendencies. As it turns out, for once, the Bears have much in common. When Dowell Loggains was running his offense at its best in 2016, it was with Brian Hoyer at quarterback. Can it be a coincidence he too was brought up from college by the Patriots?
Then it shouldn’t be surprising that Loggains had a considerable crush on Garoppolo back in 2014 when he was the quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns.
In 2014, #Browns coaches wanted Jimmy Garoppolo over Manziel. That Offensive Staff: #49ers HC Shanahan (then OC) + #Bears OC Loggains (QBC).
— Eric Galko (@OptimumScouting) February 22, 2017
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Indeed based on body type, throwing motion and mental makeup Hoyer and Garoppolo do share a lot in common. The difference is Jimmy is more talented. He’s a better athlete, has a stronger arm and a far quicker release. Throw in that “Favre-Rodgers” level of confidence that teammate Julian Edelman talked about and it’s understandable why the Bears would be interested.
