The Chicago Bears have done an excellent job rebuilding their roster over the past two years. GM Ryan Poles reloaded every position with Pro Bowl-caliber talent. For the first time since probably 2019, this feels like a team that should make the playoffs. However, no roster is perfect. Most of them have one or two flaws that must be worked around. The Bears are no different. If you ask most fans, they will say the edge rusher spot opposite Montez Sweat is a concern. The same could be true for the depth at defensive tackle.
However, experts and people inside the league see a different problem. Aaron Schatz of ESPN pointed it out. For all the attention on the defense, not enough people are talking about the situation behind Caleb Williams.
Roster hole: Quarterback depth
Caleb Williams is the No. 1 pick and has huge potential. He had better live up to it — and stay healthy — because the Bears don’t have much else to go to if Williams can’t play. Tyson Bagent, last year’s backup, started four games but played essentially at the replacement level. Brett Rypien was awful in his one start for the Rams last season (130 passing yards and an interception) and wasn’t very good in three years for the Broncos before that.
It is a fair concern. Between the two of them, Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien have eight total starts. That doesn’t feel like the type of stability or experience you want sitting behind a rookie quarterback. What makes it worse is the pair have thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in their careers.
The Chicago Bears have to consider adding experience.
Bagent and Rypien are hard workers, but neither of them has anything to offer Williams aside from typical backup duties. Teams often use the tactic of signing a veteran quarterback who can teach a younger guy some of the inside tricks of the NFL in these situations. Houston did that when they acquired Case Keenum last year. He was a big influence on C.J. Stroud’s outstanding rookie season. The Bears have to consider doing something similar for Williams. For all his talent, the NFL is a different animal.
Two names stand out as possibilities. Former Pro Bowler Ryan Tannehill remains available. He started 151 games in his career and reached an AFC championship. He might hold out for a starting opportunity, but he’d make a perfect backup. The other is Brian Hoyer. He’s been a #2 with several teams over his long career. In that time, he’s played behind guys like Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. He even spent a year in Chicago in 2016. His 16 years of experience would be a massive boon for a young quarterback.
Perhaps the Chicago Bears want to see what they have before making any changes. Much of this could depend on what new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron thinks.
Brian Hoyer ??? Seriously ??? He looked great against us last year.
Get your itchy trigger fingers ready to downvote this scorching take, which is something I authentically believe. Poles should sign Colin Kaepernick to back up Williams. Kaep is a veteran who has put up elite production against NFL defenses, and he doesn’t have any physical wear because 32 owners colluded to end his football career six years ago. He’s just been sitting there, rightly seething in anger at the NFL establishment, and I’d love to see him take it out on opposing teams. If the role of a QB2 is to be ready and able to will a team to… Read more »
Again, Poles could have had great QB depth, but he gave Justin Fields away. That alone should be irrefutable proof that he *actively does not want* QB depth in 2024. The lack of depth is literally his plan; it’s a feature, not a bug, in the roster. He wants to have the QB room completely devoid of competition, either real or perceived.
More nonsense. Not only is backup quarterback not our biggest hole, it’s not a hole at all compared to other starter and even depth needs. We have Bagent who has more savvy than most of the backups in the league and showed a lot under fire last year. Stop with the int. crap, It’s expected for rookies, Payton Manning threw 11 in his first 4 starts. NO, I’m not comparing him to Manning, just enforcing that it’s not all he is. Seriously Erik, it’s a slow time for Bears news, spent time with family.
Geez people act like the undrafted Bagent can’t get any better. He now has a season under his belt and seems smart enough to learn the new playbook. He caught on pretty quickly last year. They have coaches to mentor CW. They dont need a 10 year vet, who obviously was never very good to begin with, to be chirping in CWs ear. They will most likely go with the 2 undrafted FA QBs. They can all learn together.