The Bears have had some of the worst luck when it comes to drafting quarterbacks. Their list of busts and disappointments is long and vomit-inducing at times. Part of why this is may center on the men who did the picking. Sometimes delving into the history of a GM can help provide a clearer picture of their biggest decisions on the job.
For this segment it will be centered on the quarterbacks they were exposed to as scouts and executives prior to becoming general managers in Chicago. This could provide a clearer understanding of why, for the most part, they failed at finding that franchise guy the organization continues to hunt for.
Jim Finks (1974-1983)
- Fran Tarkenton
- Joe Kapp
- Gary Cuozzo
- Bob Lee
Bill Tobin (1987-1992)
- Gary Huff
- Bob Avellini
- Bobby Douglass
- Mike Phipps
- Vince Evans
- Jim McMahon
- Steve Fuller
- Mike Tomczak
- Doug Flutie
Mark Hatley (1997-2000)
- Bill Kenney
- Steve DeBerg
- Ron Jaworski
- Dave Krieg
- Joe Montana
- Steve Bono
Jerry Angelo (2001-2011)
- Danny White
- Scott Brunner
- Phil Simms
- Jeff Rutledge
- Steve DeBerg
- Vinny Testaverde
- Chris Chandler
- Craig Erickson
- Trent Dilfer
- Shaun King
All told it’s a pretty average list. Some will argue why Hatley failed so miserably with his pick of Cade McNown considering he saw somebody like Joe Montana during his time in Kansas City. It’s important to remember though that this was not Montana in his prime. It was the older, broken down version. Tobin had only McMahon to go with as a pinnacle, which would explain why his Jim Harbaugh pick was decent but not great. As for Angelo the best he got was Phil Simms. Not bad, but hardly the cream of the crop.
Only Finks got a first-hand account of watching a Hall of Fame player at his peak with Fran Tarkenton in Minnesota. He eventually put that experience to good use, bringing in McMahon in 1982. The man who would lead Chicago to its only Super Bowl championship. It is for that same reason that people should feel confident Pace knows what he’s looking for.
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Ryan Pace (2015-Present)
- Aaron Brooks
- Drew Brees
Of course the big name there is Brees. He’s a future Hall of Fame lock and holding of the single-season record for passing yards. Not to mention the only quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season five times. He is greatness personified and Pace was there when the Saints signed him and had a front row seat for his rise.
That said it’s so easy to overlook the man Brees replaced. Aaron Brooks is forgotten by many, but he’s in the Saints Hall of Fame for a reason. The guy was a good football player. Brees may have the franchise’s first Super Bowl title but Brooks was the man who took the first critical step, giving them their first playoff victory in 2000. He also threw for at least 3,500 yards and 21 touchdowns four times.
Pace may be young but even in such a short time he’s seen what quality quarterbacks look like. How they think and operate and what key physical traits they’re supposed to have. This is what the Bears brought him in to do. Now it’s time for the hardest part.
Sitting back and letting him do it.
