Bears Mailbag — Skip The Rat Race, Go For QB In 2022?

The NFL offseason trudges on, and the most significant news on the horizon for the Chicago Bears (aside from a surprise trade) is the franchise tag drama with Allen Robinson.  Will they?  Won’t they?  It should be fascinating.

Until then, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag.  Thanks to all who submitted questions.  Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.

Bears Mailbag

At this point, unless the Raiders trade either Carr or Mariota, or if Jones falls to #20, I don't care about the other QB options. I'd love to wait go after a great prospect in '22 (Sam Howell, Tyler Shough, etc.).

Issue is, Pace and Nagy can't wait. So we'll see a move.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

I'd say 5%. The Bears need to:

– Convince Watson.

– Clear cap space.

– Sacrifice significant draft capital in the trade.

– Maybe sacrifice roster assets in the trade.

– Figure out how to build around a QB who would need sizable amounts of help.

It just doesn't make sense.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

Here is my "realistic" thought (not what I'd do, but what I could see them doing):

Keep Foles
Invest heavily in OL and WR
Draft a project QB (think Feleipe Franks)
Invest more in OL and WR
Maybe some more in OL and WR

Optimize the scheme for "Older Foles."

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

I'd imagine the Bears are prioritizing keeping Santos, but at a price. They have way too many needs, and the reality is kickers are a luxury. They need to focus on finding ways to score more touchdowns.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

He may not start Week 1, but I'd say the odds are pretty favorable he could get in there by Week 4. He has the cerebral qualities to do so.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

Mahomes' situation was unique. The reality is, most teams don't have the luxury of waiting for a first-round rookie to learn the game for a year. They need instant results and to figure out if they can win a Super Bowl within a QB's rookie contract.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

I'm not sure the Bears have an underrated strength, but I do think Nagy is vilified more than he should be. Maybe Pat O'Donnell as a field position weapon?

Underrated weakness — speed at WR. They really, really need to add more Cohen-like players.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

Trask in the middle rounds is OK, nothing special. If I'm taking a project to develop, I'd rather their upside be higher (think Feleipe Franks).

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

Bears fans should not be expecting a significant attempt for either Watson or Prescott.

I'd watch Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota as more realistic targets.

If none of them work out, then yes, they will prioritize the draft.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

I think this is a media-driven and fan-spread rumor. Wentz wasn't against the Bears, he just had a preference for Indianapolis. And he should — Frank Reich is a great coach, their OL is solid, and their overall roster is better than Chicago's.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

Physical talent? No. By a lot.
Cerebral talent? Yes. By a sizable amount.

Guess what the Bears care more about after the Trubisky experiment!

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

If I had to guess right now?

Leno-Daniels-Mustipher-Whitehair-NewRT

I would not be surprised if the Bears seek an upgrade for Leno in the draft, or even Mustipher.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021

Brissett is another one of those "meh" options. He isn't going to move the needle, but could act as a bridge until 2022 — a luxury Pace and Nagy don't have.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 24, 2021