The quarterback situation has been the talk surrounding the Chicago Bears heading into NFL free agency. Chicago was linked to Carson Wentz before he was dealt from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, the team appears to be in on both Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson on the trade market.
There’s a pretty major backdrop here. That includes the Bears’ brass being on the hot seat heading into the 2021 season and the future of former No. 2 pick Mitchell Trubisky.
For a while, it has seemed as if the Bears were ready to move off the impending free agent after benching him at times last season for Nick Foles. Despite Trubisky shockingly leading the team to the playoffs, that has not changed. Well, until recently.
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Chicago Bears still open to retaining Mitchell Trubisky
“Contrary to an ESPN report that the Bears plan to let Trubisky leave via free agency, a source with direct knowledge of the situation tells PFT that a Trubisky return has not been ruled out. Likewise, Trubisky has not been informed that the Bears won’t attempt to bring him back,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Sunday.
At this point, it’s hard to imagine Trubisky being the Bears’ top option at quarterback. He has not panned out in the four years since Chicago made the former North Carolina standout a top-two pick. That span has seen Trubisky throw a mere 64 touchdowns against 37 interceptions in 50 starts.
The issue for Chicago is a lack of true options outside of the two big names mentioned above. Sure the team is going all in on Russell Wilson. However, recent reports suggest that a trade is unlikely this offseason despite issues with the star quarterback and his Seattle Seahawks team.
As for Deshaun Watson, the Houston Texans have been unwilling to talk trade after the reigning NFL passing champion requested to be moved earlier in the offseason.
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Chicago Bears options at quarterback
Chicago has been linked to former Washington Football Team Pro Bowler Alex Smith since his release. It makes sense given his built-in relationship with Bears head coach Matt Nagy dating back to their time together with the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s just an open question whether the reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year is an upgrade over Trubisky.
Just recently, reports surfaced that the Chicago Bears could have interest in Illinois native Jimmy Garoppolo. He’s apparently been on the trade block after yet another injury-plagued season with the San Francisco 49ers. With that said, San Francisco is not going to move Garoppolo without a clear upgrade under center. Perhaps, something comes together on that front surrounding Deshaun Watson.
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Noticing a theme here? Chicago seems to be quickly running out of options. Trading for Sam Darnold would seem to be a lateral move. Veteran free agent options such as Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston likely wouldn’t offer much in terms of an upgrade over Trubisky or current in-house starting candidate Nick Foles.
With the NFL free agent negotiating window set to open in less than 24 years, there’s a lot of moving parts in Chicago. Among them, the real possibility that the Chicago Bears run it back with Trubisky in 2021.