The Chicago Bears are hunting for quarterback help. This isn’t exactly news. What isn’t clear yet is who they may end up with. Crazy things happen all the time in the NFL, right? Deshaun Watson looks like the holy grail teams will be pushing for. Yet only one will get him. If that isn’t the Bears, they need to think about other options. Either that or realize quickly they have no shot at him and try for somebody more sensible. Like Matthew Stafford.
Yes, that was a joke, but in all honesty, the Detroit Lions centerpiece is finally reaching the end of his run after over a decade. He’ll depart as the all-time leading passer in franchise history. Owner of 31 comebacks in the 4th quarter and a 5,000-yard passing season. Not to mention a Pro Bowl. Sadly his tenure will also be remembered for failing to win a playoff game.
Now he’s hunting for an opportunity to chase a ring.
Is it crazy to think the Bears could be a destination. On the surface it is. They’re a division rival and Detroit probably couldn’t stomach seeing him twice a year. That said, QB trades inside the division have happened before. It’s all a matter of price. Former quarterback David Carr believes Chicago should be viewed as a top potential destination.
“Stafford donning a Bears uniform is hard to picture, and I’m not sure Detroit would trade within the NFC North. The Lions know Stafford, and playing against him twice each year doesn’t seem like something they’d welcome. Nonetheless, Stafford would fit well into the Bears’ offensive scheme and (finally) provide the Bears with consistent QB play — something pending free agent Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t been able to do.
Projected to be $10.7 million over the cap and not exactly in possession of a bounty of picks in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft, the Bears might need to get creative if they want to snag the QB.”
Such an idea would come down to the price tag. There isn’t any certainty on how much Stafford would cost. Given his age, contract and productivity it shouldn’t be difficult for them to secure at least 1st round pick and probably a little extra. So would Detroit decline if the Bears were to offer, say, two 1st round picks? Some may think that’s too expensive but is it?
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Matthew Stafford is still a top tier passer in the NFL
Unlike decades past, being 33-years old is hardly over the hill in the NFL these days. Tom Brady is 43 and in the Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers is 37 and likely the league MVP. Stafford should have plenty of gas in the tank provided he gets proper protection moving forward. He’s thrown for 4,000 or more yards in seven of his last 10 seasons and hasn’t thrown more than 11 interceptions since 2015. He may not be “elite” but he’s way better than anything the Bears have had going back decades.
Would give years of his current level of play be worth two 1st round picks? Depends on who you ask. Plenty of fans and media believe those picks are too valuable to keep surrendering in these expensive trades trying to plug every hole on the roster. At the same time, Stafford and this roster would certainly look like it could be a potential contender for a year or two.
For some, it’s worth it. For others, it’s not.
What matters is what Bears management thinks. If they feel Matthew Stafford gives them a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl in 2021, then it’s a deal they need to try and make. Detroit is in the middle of a coming rebuild. They may not turn their noses up if the package is big enough. Chicago just better be sure the price is worth it if they actually get the answer they want.