The NFL is a league defined by its quarterbacks. That is clearer than ever. People thought the 2020 offseason was historic for its QB movement. Yet there is a chance that 2021 could top it. Already Matthew Stafford left Detroit after over a decade with the Lions to join the Los Angeles Rams. More moves are expected in the near future. It’s a matter of who that next domino will be and will the Chicago Bears be the team to tip it over?

Everybody knows the situation. Mitch Trubisky is a free agent. His four years in Chicago had some bright moments but there was far too much inconsistency. He never quite clicked. Nick Foles was a calculated gamble last season but also didn’t work out. So head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are heading back to the market in hopes they can finally get it right.

So here is an update on all the notable names out there. Big and not quite as big. Where do their situations stand and how strong are the Bears’ chances?

Chicago Bears are waiting for the next QB domino to fall

Deshaun Watson

Nothing has changed on this front. If anything, the two sides have only dug their heels in further. Watson still isn’t talking to Houston Texans higherups while wiping any mention of the team from his social media. The Texans have purged most of the old guard from their organization including the equipment manager and team president. Even superstar J.J. Watt was granted his release, ending an era in Texans football.

NFL insider Tyler Dunn recently reported that while Watson is open to going to a number of teams, the two that intrigue him the most are the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. Both are warm-weather cities and both are run by well-respected head coaches in Kyle Shanahan and Brian Flores. This doesn’t mean the Bears are totally out of the picture, but their odds aren’t looking good.

Carson Wentz

What a difference a week makes. This time last week before the Super Bowl, the NFL world was convinced the Philadelphia Eagles were on the cusp of trading the former Pro Bowler. Now things have slowed down considerably. What happened? The popular belief is Eagles GM Howie Roseman had a certain price tag in mind for Wentz and none of the teams interested have come anywhere close to it.

The Bears have been connected to the talks from the jump. Not a surprise given their obvious need at the position and the connections they have to Wentz (John DeFilippo was his QBs coach his first two years). While some claim the Bears have the highest offer on the table, others think differently. The current favorite to land him among Eagles experts is the Indianapolis Colts. Both for their interest in him and his interest in them.

Derek Carr

Is he on the block? Is he not on the block? The Raiders seem to play this game every year with Carr. Every time it turns out to be a false alarm. Now that he’s coming off the best all-around season of his career? While the rumors persist, the steady flow of information out of Las Vegas is that while the team is always listening to offers, they are unlikely to trade their quarterback.

A shame too because the Chicago Bears have interest in him. Considerable interest. It isn’t hard to see why. He’s only 30-years old and has two years left on a highly-affordable contract. His skillset would fit well in the type of offense they run and he’s known for being a leader and man of high character. Everything this regime would want. So it figures he won’t even be made available.

Sam Darnold

The situation surrounding the former #3 overall pick is a fascinating one. When looking at the stats? Darnold has plenty of red flags. Just 45 touchdowns to 39 interceptions in three seasons and completed just 59.8% of his passes. The tape reveals a QB that too often looks unsure of himself. Is he just not good? That is where it gets complicated. Not only was Darnold surrounded by questionable talent with the Jets his entire run there, but he also dealt with less-than-ideal coaching.

Multiple teams have reached out to the New York Jets and inquired about trading for QB Sam Darnold, per league sources.https://t.co/7h1Fol26QM

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2021

On the plus side? He’s 23-years old, which is actually younger than last year’s #1 pick Joe Burrow. He still has plenty of talent worth exploring. It is a matter of whether New York makes him available. Recent signs point to them strongly considering a QB at #2 overall. This would make Darnold available. He still has one year left on his rookie deal at a modest $9.79 million. For a team on a tight budget like the Bears? This would make sense.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Ties between Chicago and Garoppolo are easy. He’s a native of the area and made his name at Eastern Illinois. It would be a fun story for him to return home to take over his hometown team. As far as the San Francisco 49ers go? The situation is pretty easy to read. They have no problem going another season with Garoppolo under center, but if an upgrade becomes possible? They won’t hesitate to pounce.

Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch seem to think that giving the 29-year old another year with a hopefully healthy roster can get them back to their winning form. Yet with the 12th pick in the draft and other possible veterans available, the 49ers can’t be ignored. They know they have a roster capable of winning a Super Bowl. The QB is the big question mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBQRpVAAlqE&ab_channel=McLinced

Jameis Winston

The fascination with Winston hasn’t really died for over a year now. People are still trying to make sense of his 2019 season in Tampa Bay. Throwing for over 5,000 yards and 33 touchdowns? Good. Also throwing 30 interceptions. Bad. Some people are willing to gamble on him, believing his reckless tendencies can be curtailed. Others believe Winston is what he is and isn’t likely to change at this point in his career.

Some are holding out hope that he may have learned some things this past year under the tutelage of Sean Payton. The Saints head coach has a knack for developing quarterbacks. His work with Drew Brees is well-documented and he also revived the career of Teddy Bridgewater. New Orleans has designs on keeping Winston for themselves, but that isn’t set in stone. Chicago seems to have at least some interest in him.

The Draft

Every sign or rumor to this point says the same thing. The Chicago Bears have not gotten serious about the 2021 quarterback class. Not yet. Nagy and Pace seem determined to come out of this offseason with a quality veteran quarterback. No doubt a symptom of knowing they have to win this year or could well lose their jobs. Going for a top rookie prospect doesn’t feel like a win-now proposition.

Things could easily change within the next month. If the Bears fail to secure any veteran of note, Pace may realize his only chance to make a splash would be in the draft. Moving up for a quarterback is something he’s done before. If they could secure the likes of Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, or Trey Lance? Maybe there is hope of convincing ownership they have the organization pointed in the right direction.