It is okay to be frustrated, angry, and upset with the Chicago Bears. Their ineptitude at fixing the quarterback position has reached record-setting levels. It is hard to quantify how this is possible considering how many opportunities they’ve had to flip the narrative. Then again, there is one thing to remember about this ongoing nightmare that has changed in a positive way.
Unlike decades past, the Bears are actively trying to fix the position.
Think about this. Since 1936, Chicago has spent 10 first round picks on quarterbacks. That may sound like a decent amount. Keep this in mind though. There was once a 31-year gap between those occurrences. It started with Bob Williams in 1951 and wasn’t broken until Jim McMahon arrived in 1982. Moving forward it has felt like the Bears keep trying to fix the issue but are just incredibly bad at recognizing good talent.
Jim Harbaugh was the 26th pick in 1987. A late 1st rounder. In 1999, the Bears traded back five spots from #7 to #12 to take Cade McNown. A move that cost them Daunte Culpepper. Then in 2003, they traded back twice to secure the #14 and #22 picks in the 1st round and used the second of the two on Rex Grossman.
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Oh and don’t forget the 1st rounder they lost in the trade for Rick Mirer in 1997.
Chicago Bears have improved their eye for talent, at least a little
So yeah. It’s been rough. That said, is there at least a little reason for optimism? Yes. Namely, because the organization seems to have improved at identifying talent at the position. If ever so slightly, at least. They traded for Jay Cutler in 2009 and he went on to break almost every franchise passing record. Then they drafted Mitch Trubisky. While he’s proven a disappointment compared to Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, he’s still had more positive moments than those previous 1st round picks had.
This offers a sliver of hope that they might be trending in the right direction. Like a dart thrower who inches closer and closer to the bullseye with each toss. The trade for Nick Foles at least shows the team is committed to fixing the position more than ever. Past Bears regimes would’ve just stuck with Trubisky for another year. Another “Rex is our quarterback” situation.
It’s fine to feel frustrated about the team still struggling to find a consistently good QB. Just remember though. There was a time when the team didn’t even bother trying to fix it.