The Chicago Bears have been surrounded by so many rumors concerning the veteran quarterback market, it’s been easy to miss how little NFL draft talk there has been. Somewhat of a shock considering they’re back in the 1st round for the first time since 2018. One would think that would generate a little more excitement. Perhaps this is the byproduct of a team picking 20th overall.
It’s hard to get excited about a pick that really isn’t considered a prime position for a quarterback. Hence the laser focus on the veteran options. However, people should know this regime by now. GM Ryan Pace has traded up three times with his first pick in the past six drafts. He doesn’t fear being aggressive. Is it really a stretch to think he’d consider doing so again?
This statement by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was a bit eye-opening.
The longtime Bears insider is usually careful about his responses in regards to such things. Yet during his weekly mailbag, he was asked point-blank about the chances the Bears try to move up for a quarterback. The way Biggs responded certainly came off like he might be hearing some things that are worth noting.
A week or two ago, I would have said to get that thought out of your mind because the price to move from No. 20 into the top five — and keep in mind, it’s not out of the question three quarterbacks could come off the board in the top four picks — would be exorbitant…
…Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy would need the trust of Chairman George McCaskey to take that swing, and while I still think it’s rather unlikely, you cannot rule it out. “I imagine they have to do something to get better there; otherwise, they’re basically returning the same team,” a player personnel director of another NFC team said.
It’s important to remember where the Bears sit. They’re low on money and aren’t exactly a hot spot for top veteran QBs to wish to come to. Not with their best offensive player being a free agent and both the GM and head coach on the hot seat. So there is a real possibility they might not secure anybody on their wishlist. In the event this happens, could they turn their attention to the draft?
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Chicago Bears drafting a QB does make sense in certain contexts
Start with the pragmatic part. The young man would come in on a rookie contract, meaning he’d be cheap for the next four years. Given the Bears’ current salary cap problems (projected $6-7 million in the red), this would certainly seem appealing. There is also the youth factor. Every noteworthy quarterback they’ve been connected to this offseason is either in his 30s or on the backside of his 20s.
Sure quarterbacks can last longer these days than years past but guys like Tom Brady or Drew Brees are rare outliers. There is no guarantee the Chicago Bears would get a 10-year window out of any of the guys they acquire. With a QB in the draft, the odds would be somewhat higher given most of them range from 21 to 23-years old. It’s just a matter of figuring out whether they’ll be any good or not.
This is why trading up is far more likely than staying put at #20 overall.
Draft insiders agree that at least the top four quarterbacks will be gone within the first 10-12 picks this April and maybe the top five within the first 15. Three of them could be gone by the end of the top 5. So if the Bears don’t want to miss out on the action, they may have to get really aggressive and creative in moving up.
Is it their main goal this offseason? Probably not. That said if the veteran market doesn’t break their way it isn’t hard to see them talking themselves into this course of action. Something that no doubt terrifies fans who still haven’t recovered from the Mitch Trubisky experience.