Chicago Bears 2020 quarterback options? Are we actually there after just one game. Apparently. After Mitch Trubisky stunk up another season opener against Green Bay, showing little of the "progress" his team has insisted took place, it has people wondering if the former 2nd overall pick may have reached his peak. He doesn't seem to have grown out of the same issues that plagued him last season.
The erratic long ball.
Inconsistent field vision.
Happy feet when under pressure.
Trubisky is a talented kid who can play really well when he's locked in. The problem is getting him locked in has proven a bigger chore than should be necessary for a quarterback in his third season. It brings up the question. As much as the Bears love him in the locker room, how long before they start to lose patience with these continued struggles?
Thus eyes start drifting towards 2020. Whether it's to find a replacement or competition, what sort of options could the team be looking at?
Chicago Bears 2020 quarterback options
Free agency:
Money is going to be an issue here. The Bears simply don't have a lot of it to spend for next year. They'll roll some over from this year to help ease some of the constraints but it won't be enough. Some big contract extensions are coming up. Particularly Eddie Jackson. So finding the cash to afford a solid free agent quarterback, if one is available, is going to be a challenge.
Eli Manning
The New York Giants are almost certain to let their longtime starter and two-time Super Bowl winner walk in 2020. They drafted his replacement in 6th overall pick Daniel Jones this season. Manning will be 39 next year and it's hard to say how much juice he has left in the tank. He's also not a runner, so the scheme fit would be interesting. That said, his wealth of experience and proven pedigree would be worth considering.
Marcus Mariota
This might be the best fit from a schematic standpoint. Marcus Mariota ran the Oregon offense to all-time great heights and has a strong history with Bears offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. His mobility and field vision would be a perfect fit for this system. It's a matter of whether or not the Tennessee Titans may look to move on. People close to the team seem 50/50 on that possibility. This season will likely decide it.
Teddy Bridgewater
He had a chance to go start for the Miami Dolphins but Teddy Bridgewater isn't dumb. He realized just how bad things would've been for him, so he decided to stay another year in New Orleans learning under Sean Payton. Bridgewater is now completely healthy from his knee injury back in 2016. He'll be 27-years old this time next year and has a history of elevating his play in big games. If the Bears are looking for a cheaper option with upside, this is it.
NFL draft:
Jake Fromm (Georgia)
Fromm could best be called the opposite of what Trubisky was back in 2017. He's not a premier athlete nor boasts a great arm. However, he's smart, efficient, accurate, and will boast three years of starting experience in the SEC if and when he declares for the 2020 draft. He's lost only five games in his career and showed superb progress as a passer last season, throwing 30 TDs on just 307 passing attempts. He's also renowned for his competitive edge and leadership.
Jordan Love (Utah State)
One thing that Bears fans will drool over that people keep saying about Jordan Love? Uncanny deep accuracy. One of the best deep balls in college football. Throw in the fact he's 6'4 and difficult to sack do to his slippery pocket presence, there's a lot to like about his game. His quick release is also something noteworthy. There is a lot for him still to prove but the talent is undeniable and he comes from a tough background (father died when he was 14), so the game isn't too big for him.
Nate Stanley (Iowa)
People will likely call Nate Stanley "unremarkable" compared to the other QBs in the 2020 draft class. Don't be fooled. This kid can play. He's been well-coached at Iowa and has run their disciplined offense to perfection the past two years. He's got a good arm, plays with efficiency and tends to bring his best against the best. For example, he threw five TDs against Ohio State in 2017. Last season he fired three against Mississippi State in the Outback Bowl. This kid can play.
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