Ranking the Bears options at the quarterback position from worst to first for this off-season. I threw the garbage names off the list like Blake Bortles, Joe Webb, and Geno Smith. Lots of ex-Bears quarterbacks I kept off the list as well. Bears rode them once, and they have turned to stone since which features Matt Barkley, Mike Glennon, and Brian Hoyer. Then I left permanent back-ups off this list as well. As we know, jobs need to be saved so this off-season is critical for Head Coach Matt Nagy and his partner in crime, the GM Ryan Pace, to get this right. Since it’s March and St. Patrick’s day is on the 17th, my list will not be the dirty dozen. But, the unlucky 17 because if you end up behind center for the Bears it might not be the finest moment in your career. St. Patrick can drive the snakes out of Ireland. That is asking a lot for the Irish saint to drive out the bad quarterback play in Chicago. Let’s see what options we have in mind for the Bears next season. Regarding some of this garbage, I hope the brass does not pull the April Fool’s Day joke on their fan base.
#17. Joe Flacco: Age 36. What has Joe Flacco done since he won the Superbowl for the Ravens and got paid? Flacco, since leaving the Ravens, has been that Detective who has a questionable shooting. They have to ride desk duty for the rest of their time in a uniform. Last year, he appeared in some games for the New York Jets as a back-up filling in for Sam Darnold. The Jets’ last season was like playing in Siberia. To me, signing Flacco would be the reincarnation of Jay Cutler, but less effective with the same mood swings and sour grapes facial expressions. (DEFINITE NO!)
#16.Cam Newton: Age 31. Last year I heard fans cry foul when the Bears did not sign Cam Newton. It’s the same people who probably had this guy as a fantasy quarterback once upon a time ago in back of your favorite watering hole. (DEFINITE NO!)
Last year with the Patriots, Cam Newton was a train wreck. How many games did Newton have with passing yards south of 100? Newton will score a touchdown and then act like he is the greatest Super Hero since sliced bread. Captain Caveman is ranked higher on my Superhero list than this meatball. Soft like a cookie in the Superbowl, the biggest game of his life, and he does not dive on the fumble with the game on the line. Did not want to hurt himself. Whose your Superman now? Poor Lois Lane trapped in a burning telephone booth. Good ole Cam walks away from those heated discussions. See some of Newton’s press conferences as exhibits. A-Z. (DEFINITE NO!)
#15.Tyrod Taylor: Age 31 This guy will never be the bride and have that career walking down the aisle with him in full control behind center. Taylor can make plays with his legs. Taylor can dink and dunk with the short passing game. Taylor is a game manager. Taylor can’t throw the ball down the field. Taylor is a back up quarterback. Taylor could be a bridge-type quarterback as well. Taylor would not save any jobs in Chicago. Doctors might hurt him on purpose just to see if the back-up is like Justin Herbert. Worked for Chargers finding their golden pot. (DEFINITE NO!)
#14.Brandon Allen: Age 28 This is a Hail Mary play signing Brandon Allen. Last year, Brandon Allen played in 5 games for a bad Bengal team. Allen won one of those games, but he showed you something. Allen is young; he only has 8 games under his belt with 8 touchdown passes in two seasons. Six interceptions but playing for the Bengals, Allen could get a pass like the pandemic year of last season, still giving people passes. I like Allen only if you can develop a young quarterback which Bears have no evidence of doing. If Bears were going to draft a quarterback, Allen could be a bridge guy, or maybe you find a diamond in the ruff here. When you have not figured out your man behind center in decades, sometimes more than one option might give you better odds.
(MAYBE – only with other options)
#13.Mitch Trubisky: Age 26 Trubisky needs a new team. If I was Mitch Trubisky, I would not come back to the Bears even if they gave me the best deal. Head coach Matt Nagy used Trubisky as the scapegoat more than once. He’d throw the kid under the bus to protect his weaselly image of the great Gazoo of the offense. A real guru in the coaching game.
It was not Mitch Trubisky’s fault they drafted him over Deshaun Watson or Patrick Mahomes. Trubisky would be better off finding a place with a coach that can tap into all of his talent levels, and put him in a better situation to use his strengths.Nagy did this at times and Mitch responded. Trubisky is a good guy you’d like to see do well. Just can not be done in a Bears uniform. (DEFINITELY NO!)
#12.Andy Dalton: Age 33 Dalton, last year, was absolutely crunched as he stands in the pocket like a Cigar Store Indian statue.
I know the hit was to the head, by Jon Bostic of the Washington team, that knocked Dalton out of the game. I like Andy Dalton, but I think the Bears could not give him the protection he needs to be the Rifleman in Chicago. Plus, Dalton needs a strong running game surrounding him as well. Head coach Nagy abandons the run religiously. If all my other options run out, I would think of Dalton. (MAYBE)
#11.Nick Foles: Age 32 This is the Bears’ last resort because Nick Foles is under contract. I was against this trade from the start, giving up draft capital for a career back-up quarterback getting starter money. Foles has not started, and finished, a season in years and probably completed that one time in his career. Bears could not protect him last season, as he was crunched and missed a few games. Foles needs a strong running game surrounding him. I like him because it will be Foles’ second year understanding Nagy’s War and Peace playbook. Even though Foles has been in similar style offenses. I like Foles if he is the back-up making back up money. An Alex Smith/Nick Foles combo – Would that even finish the regular season? Perhaps a bridge quarterback would work as well if the Bears found a keeper in the draft. Foles is a closer, so late in the season I’d call his number. Other than that, we need to figure out the first 12 games of the season. (HOLDING PATTERN)
#10.Alex Smith: Age 36 I like the idea of Alex Smith under center for anyone. However at age 36 with an injury history, I would pass on him as the starter. Especially after 2018, and the serious leg injury after which he missed the entire 2019 season. Smith came back last season and was a big reason the team with no name made the playoffs. Smith had another injury last year which sidelined him for a few games and the playoff game. Smith knows the Bears offense with ties to Kansas City and Head Coach Matt Nagy. Can you pay Smith and Nick Foles starter money? You need a good option as a back up for Alex Smith who can win games just in case of an injury. Smith would be a good solid back-up. I need a number one before Smith. (MAYBE pile)
#9.Jameis Winston: Age 27 At the age of 27, Jameis Winston would be in his prime years. Has Winston learned from watching Drew Brees last year? Has Winston soaked in all that he could from Saints Head Coach Sean Payton, who knows offense? Winston has a big arm. However, Winston is a turnover machine. Like having a black Jay Cutler with the ‘tude. Will the Saints want Winston back if Brees retires? Can one year change a guy? Especially being a starter most of the time and then watching most of the season on the sideline. Bringing in Jameis Winston is a huge gamble. Lot of pros to sucker you on a move like this. Winston is labeled a bad character guy, and Matt Nagy and the Bears have avoided signing those types of guys. Remember the bad locker room days of Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Martellus Bennent? Winston in a big market, with lots of media, would not do well is my educated guess. (DEFINITELY NO)
#8.Jacoby Bissett: Age 28 Remember Kyle Orton when he was loved by Bears fans? Jacoby Bissett is the Kyle Orton type of quarterback. Bissett will not make the huge mistakes. Bissett is a game manager. Bissett’s tool set means he can do everything well, but not awesome. Bissett has that New England and Indianapolis seasoning from their highly rated top notch coaching staffs. Are the Patriots still a highly rated top-notch coaching staff since Tom Brady left?
Does a 12-20 in the NFL record behind center make you want Bissett as your number one guy? Bissett has 31 touchdown passes to 13 interceptions with close to 50 NFL games under his belt. I like him as a bridge-style quarterback option. If you package Alex Smith backing him up, Bissett is a crazy idea, but maybe not that crazy. Bissett/Smith sounds better than Trubisky/Foles. (YES)
#7.Sam Darnold: Age 23 Sam Darnold may be available depending on who the Jets get at number two in this year’s draft. A trade would have to be worked out to get Sam Darnold. Has Darnold showed you enough that he has the talents to be a starting quarterback in the league for years to come? Look at Mitch Trubisky. The Bears failed to develop him into that guy under center for years to come. Trubisky had some flashes too. What makes you think the Bears can develop a Sam Darnold? Bringing Darnold in is a gamble and you could waste more draft capital on another quarterback who will not work out. Besides, the Bears need to win now to save Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace from being axed and burned at the stakes. Darnold… it would be hard to get anybody behind that idea. (DEFINITELY NO)
#6.Jimmy Garoppolo: Age 29 Bringing home a Chicago guy would be intriguing for Bears fans. To get Jimmy in Chicago, you have to make a trade with San Francisco. The same 49ers that fleeced you out of a draft pick just to move up one spot in the draft. The year the Bears thought someone else had their eyes on Mitch Trubisky. Jimmy Garoppolo has an incredible winning percentage when he is healthy on the field. Injuries are Jimmy’s problem and why he may be available. Some teams you learn not to be swindled by once again going down the same road with another trade idea. The injuries, to me, make Jimmy a HUGE turn off. The Bears line right now couldn’t protect him. I have a feeling New England will land Jimmy, as he was Belichick’s guy before he was dealt to the 49ers. (DEFINITELY NO)
#5.Gardner Minshew: Age 24 Never trust a Jacksonville quarterback without a mustache. Yes, Bears went down the Jaguar avenue before landing Nick Foles. Gardner Minshew most likely will be replaced by Trevor Lawrence as the Jaguars have the number one pick. Minshew has only started 20 NFL games and has a record of 7-13. Minshew has thrown 37 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions and completed 62 % of his passes. Only two years in the NFL, and he has some flashes of being a very good quarterback in this league. Take him out of Jacksonville, what can he do? Jaguars have a new head coach. Minshew could get the Jaguars some more draft picks to help the new regime. Minshew mania came out when Nick Foles got hurt in the first game in the very first half of the 2019 season. With Minshew you have the guy with the best mustache in the league. Even better than Da Coach. My only concern is can the Bears’ staff coach this kid because he’s still learning going into his third season.If the staff and the GM want to win now, this move is a gamble. But if it pans out, the team wouldn’t have to give up any defensive guys. It will cost the team some draft capital. You would like to see the Bears fix that line. Minshew can use his legs and escape some pressure.The Bear would need to address the offensive line in free agency, giving up picks for the Jaguar. (YES)
#4.Derek Carr: Age 29 Can the Bears send Khalil Mack back to the Raiders for a Derek Carr? Seems like Carr always has some rumors that he will be traded every season. I think Jon Gruden does have to find a way to get that Raiders defense to play better. Raiders defense is the weakest link right now. Gruden would have to have another quarterback on his roster before he traded Derek Carr. I like Derek Carr. At 29, Carr is in his prime. How many times have Carr-led teams made the playoffs? Early in Carr’s career, the Raiders were doing awesome until Derek got hurt. Raiders still made the playoffs as the back up did not do well and were quickly dispatched. Seems like the Raiders have more weapons than the Bears. Carr does not give me that feeling of making average receivers better, like Aaron Rodgers can do. I think Gruden would demand too much which would set the entire deal back, rather than moving forward. (PASS)
#3.Ryan Fitzpatrick Age 38 Bringing in “The Beard” is a crazy idea. Maybe not though. Fitzpatrick is playing his best football of his entire career. The Beard is a free agent, so he does not cost you draft picks. Superbowl… no. Playoffs and getting past round one is definitely doable. Fix the Offensive line. Bring back Allen Robinson. Add another weapon in free agency like ex-Lion Kenny Golladay. Your defense stays intact. I would draft a quarterback no matter what. Hold on to Fitzmagic until it runs out or until you develop a younger guy.
(YES)
#2.Deshaun Watson: Age 25 The Bears should have had Watson instead of gambling the future on Trubisky. Watson was the most polished out of the three choices. If the Bears would have taken Watson, maybe I’m not writing this article. Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston. Texans want Watson to stay. Trouble in paradise. Houston will want a lot if they end up trading Watson. Watson will solve your problem at a position you struggled with for, it seems a lifetime. This trade also will weaken the Bears in the process. The Bears would have to take a few steps backwards, especially losing more draft picks. Only way I like this trade is if Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are not here to see it. I mean it, as the day it all comes together. Which will take more than 2 years. Not extending the stooges to handled this type of quarterback. Can Pace and Nagy go to the Texans in the trade? (YES)
#1.Russell Wilson: Age 32 I would be shocked if Seattle traded away Russell Wilson. Getting Wilson will cost the Bears a lot. Same rules apply here with GM Ryan Pace and Head Coach Matt Nagy. Wilson is 32 and has all the intangibles a quarterback needs. Leadership is what the Bears need most, and Wilson is the guy. Wilson has a ton of playoff experience with two Superbowls under his belt. Wilson could thrive still with a shaky offensive line, after a season or two. I think with Wilson it would take the Bears quicker to rebound than Watson. It could get the team on the playoff track for years to come if you give away too many assets for either guy. Wilson would be the pure gold under the St. Patrick’s Day rainbow for Chicago if a deal was done between Seattle and Chicago.
(YES)
The Wild shamrock 