The Chicago Bears need a quarterback. That is the central focus of 2021. Their all-consuming obsession. GM Ryan Pace knows it. Head coach Matt Nagy knows it. If they can’t find a quarterback, their hopes of surviving beyond this coming season aren’t great. So one should expect them to turn over every rock. That includes Deshaun Watson.
Nobody with a logical brain would’ve ever thought the three-time Pro Bowler would be available this offseason. Yet that reality is looking more and more likely as the details of just how toxic things have become down in Houston continue to surface. A Sports Illustrated report indicated the quarterback “wants out” and Adam Schefter followed up by stating he has no plans to rejoin the organization anytime soon.
With all of this happening, the Texans are behind the 8-ball.
Watson wanting out pretty much kills whatever lure they had for getting top head coaches. Something they did to themselves when they blatantly blew off two candidates the QB wanted in Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. No indications have surfaced yet that Houston will trade him, but it feels like they may not have a choice the longer this goes on.
If he’s made available, the landslide of teams looking for his services will be legendary. No doubt the Texans will be aiming for a monster trade package in return. So where do the Bears sit in this? Not great. They have neither a top 10 to build a package around nor a QB they can send back in return. Something other teams can offer. However, they do have one thing that might be going in their favor.
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A relationship between Pace and Houston’s new GM Nick Caserio.
Deshaun Watson's Next Team*
Dolphins +200
Patriots +350
Jets +400
Bears +550
Colts +600
49ers +1000
Football Team +1000
Eagles +1200
Lions +1800
Saints +2000
Steelers +2000
Falcons +3300
Giants +3300*Only action if traded
👉 https://t.co/iPzGpTwhjA pic.twitter.com/1b4Sqv1y2B
— BetOnline (@BetOnline_ag) January 16, 2021
The key to Deshaun Watson is through the man in charge
Pace and Caserio have actually done a lot of business on the trade market over the past few years. They’ve conducted no fewer than four exchanges together. There was the Jon Bostic trade in 2015, Martellus Bennett in 2016, the move up in the draft for Anthony Miller in 2018, and again for David Montgomery in 2019. Pace spoke highly of the former Patriots director of player personnel and how easy he is to communicate with.
“We’ve done several trades with the Patriots now. They’re great to work with. Nick Caserio and Coach Belichick.”
“Nick Caserio and I have a good relationship. So each trade it’s easer to be open and honest and get to the point.”
Is it a huge deal? No. However, one should never discount familiarity when it comes to open communication in the NFL. The Bears need to know who they’re dealing with in Caserio if they’re going to have any prayer of convincing him to consider whatever offer they make. Pace has as much familiarity with him as almost anyone in the league. He knows which words to use and which not to.
The bigger challenge is finding a package that can pry the QB away.
Deshaun Watson is a star. Chicago hasn’t had a star at that position in decades. Just imagine what he could mean to this city. If he brought them high-level QB play and even a Super Bowl. He would be instantly made for life. Of course, the Texans aren’t going to let him go for cheap. It’s possible he could fetch the largest return since the Herschel Walker trade. Are the Bears prepared to pay that?
They may have to, provided they can get Caserio to listen.