As the NFL focuses on Sunday’s Super Bowl between two of the best quarterbacks in the league, Chicago Bears’ fans and media continue to focus on whom the team may acquire to fill the position in 2021. Rumors have linked the Bears to several Pro Bowl quarterbacks, including Derek Carr and Deshaun Watson. Following the trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Rams this past weekend, what the Bears may have to give up to acquire Watson, the cost may severely limit Chicago’s ability to improve outside of the quarterback position.
From NFL Now: The #Texans have received plenty of calls on Deshaun Watson, and that will continue. From the #Jets to the #Bears to #Panthers, who'll make a strong push, to many others. One of the most robust trade markets we've seen. pic.twitter.com/uMpnK6iYP0
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 28, 2021
The Price for Watson May Be Too Much For The Bears Long-Term
If the Bears were to acquire Watson from the Texans, they would get one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The Texans’ quarterback had a career year passing for nearly 5,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. Despite Watson’s Pro Bowl season, the Texans only won four games in 2020. This was due in part to Houston’s terrible defense that ranked second to last in yards allowed. The Texans’ defense allowed opposing offenses to score 30 or more points in half of their games.
Deshaun Watson has 104 touchdown passes and 17 rushing touchdowns in his career,
According to @EliasSports he’s the only player in NFL history with at least 100 touchdown passes and 15 rushing touchdowns in his first 4 seasons. pic.twitter.com/9C7oMaDqhg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 29, 2021
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It is relatable to note the Texans’ struggles on defense when discussing a potential is because Chicago would have to part way with possibly several defensive starters to complete the trade. For the Bears to acquire the Pro Bowl quarterback from Houston, many believe the team would have to give up several first-round draft selections, along with other draft picks, but potentially two young defensive starters. Although Chicago would have the top-level quarterback in Watson, they have desperately needed for years, their top 10 defense, which has made them a playoff contender the last three seasons, would get worse.
If the Texans trade Deshaun Watson, they'll be asking for a big haul in return. pic.twitter.com/VlxdWEFGOo
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 31, 2021
Some of the potential defensive stars the Bears may have to give up include either linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Eddie Jackson, or cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Despite having a disappointing 2020 season, Jackson has been both a Pro Bowl and All-Pro level player. Smith is arguably the best inside linebacker in the league as he has registered over 100 tackles in each of his first three seasons. Johnson was one of the better rookie cornerbacks this past season and still has a massive future.
9. Roquan Smith has 96 tackles in 10 games. That goes along with two sacks.
Jaylon Johnson has 13 passes defended and allowed just 48.1% of passes thrown his way to be completed.
Smith is 23. Johnson is 21.
The future of the #Bears defense isn't nearly as bleak as many think. pic.twitter.com/evKnF43c78
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) November 17, 2020
Trading away both first-round draft picks and top-tier defensive stars would limit the Bears’ ability to build a Super Bowl-caliber team around Watson. The quarterback’s massive contract extension alone would significantly limit Chicago’s ability to spend on free agents as the team only has 10 million at the moment in available cap space. General manager Ryan Pace won’t have the ability to improve through the draft as the team could be without both a first and second-round selection for the next two drafts, at minimum.
Pace’s job would only be made harder as both the Bears’ defense and offense would still need to be improved if the team traded for Watson. The Bears offensive line has been ineffective at protecting the quarterback the last two seasons allowing 81 sacks. Chicago’s offense will also need to add a top-tier wide receiver as the team could very likely lose Pro Bowl receiver Allen Robinson in free agency next month. Watson is a terrific quarterback and will make the Bears a playoff contender, but the rest of the team may not be good enough to be a Super Bowl contender.
Besides the obvious needs (QB, OL, WR), here are a few under-the-radar needs the #Bears would be wise to address this offseason:
• Defensive line
• Running back
• ‘U’ tight end
• Edge rusher depthAny of those positions would be great targets in the draft on Day 3.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) November 28, 2020
The Jay Cutler Trade Could Serve As A Stark Warning
The Bears’ organization and the fans have already witnessed what can happen when a team overpays for a quarterback and can’t improve other positions. When the Bears’ traded for Jay Cutler back in 2009, they gave up both their first-round selections 2009 and 2010. Due to other trades, the team was without the second round selections those two years also. Without their draft picks, the Bears had to improve their team via free agency as they paid out several large contracts to veterans. Although the signing of defensive end Julius Peppers helped the Bears’ defense, several offensive free agents the team sign failed to pan out.
𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 2, 2009…
Bears trade Kyle Orton, 2009 first-and-third round selections, and 2010 first-rounder to the Denver Broncos for Jay Cutler and a 2009 fifth-round pick.
— This Day in Chicago Sports (@ChiSportsDay) April 2, 2019
Several offensive free agents signed to large contracts were let go after just one season. These free agents included left tackle Orlando Pace, running back Chester Taylor, and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. Cutler did not have a great offensive line or receivers to throw to other than running back Matt Forte and tight end Greg Olsen for his first two seasons. For as talented as the former Vanderbilt quarterback was, he wasn’t enough to get the Bears to the Super Bowl alone.
It wouldn’t be until 2012 before the Bears provided Cutler with both an improved offensive line and skill players he needed to be successful. In 2013, the Bears would have a terrific offensive line in addition to multiple Pro Bowl players at the wide receiver and tight end position. Unfortunately, by that time, Chicago’s defense had regressed and became one of the worst in NFL history.
History could easily repeat itself in a much bigger way if the Bears can pull off a trade for Watson. The Bears would have a Pro Bowl level quarterback but still would have other team needs to address without the necessary resources to do so. It would be a terrible sight for the Bears to have Watson but fall short of having a Super Bowl window due to weaknesses on defense or other offensive positions.
