The Chicago Bears are hoping to make a splash at quarterback this offseason. Not just a regular jump in the pool splash either. We’re talking Deep Impact comet-in-the-ocean type of splash. They want to send a message they’re gunning for big things in 2021. If there is a big fish out there to reel in, they’ll cast whatever bait is necessary. Of course, every fisherman can have bad days.
Right now the Bears are deeply connected to Russell Wilson. He’s at odds with the Seattle Seahawks brass over the direction of the franchise. Enough to where there are genuine rumblings he could be traded. Chicago is on his list of potential options and they’ve reportedly made serious approaches about making a deal. Thus far the Seahawks haven’t reciprocated. So the Bears are waiting.
Nobody wants to ask the obvious question.
What do they do if the Wilson pursuit comes up short? Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune asked some sources around the league. One name that came up multiple times was Jameis Winston. The former 5,000-yard passer spent last season in New Orleans backing up Drew Brees. However, he wasn’t the only one mentioned. An NFL scout brought up two other names.
“It all leads back to what path Pace and Nagy choose in their pursuit of a quarterback. One scouting source ranked possibilities for the Bears if they can’t pull off a huge trade, and he listed (in order) Winston, a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew and Ryan Fitzpatrick.”
This paints a fairly clear picture of what the Bears may have planned. If they can’t land somebody like Wilson, they’re hoping to sign a veteran with starting experience at a relatively low cost. Winston and Fitzpatrick are free agents. Minshew is under a cheap rookie contract in Jacksonville and would likely cost a minor draft pick to acquire.
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While not the splash they’re hoping for, it would at least allow them to funnel their resources towards improving the rest of the roster.
Chicago Bears continue to keep everybody guessing
In reality, even the top insiders have no real idea of what Pace and the team brass are planning. Ian Rapoport stated on NFL Network that former Dallas Cowboys backup Andy Dalton is a possibility. Pretty much every quarterback with a noteworthy name has been connected to Chicago in the past two months. No doubt that is by design. Pace is not the kind of GM who likes having his intentions known.
Whatever move he plans to make, it’ll become public knowledge when he chooses. All the Chicago Bears fanbase can do is wait it out. The team is trying. They’re putting in a ton of work to make this offseason a success. Not a surprise given how many jobs are on the line. Landing Wilson would be great, but Pace and Matt Nagy can’t afford to let the possibility of failure derail their plans. Alternatives must be considered.
Are the names listed above guarantees? Of course not.
Winston never made the playoffs in his time as a starter and threw 30 interceptions in 2019. Fitzpatrick will be 39 this year and has a long track record of streaky play. Minshew has ties to the Bears coaching staff and was efficient in his two primary stints as the Jaguars starter but never seemed to elevate the team. So it comes down to who they think gives them the best chance to win.