Chicago Bears' Best 2017 QB Option Is Amazingly One Nobody Wants

The Chicago Bears need a quarterback. Fact. There is no debating this point. In truth they've needed a quarterback for seven-plus decades. To those saying they had one in Jim McMahon, he was good but he was also never reliable. A true franchise quarterback is somebody who carries the football team to victories. McMahon was often carried to victory by Walter Payton and a historic defense. Or to the hospital on a stretcher. So the only quarterback this franchise has had who fits that description was Sid Luckman who retired in 1951. Since then it's been one, continuous parade of sadness. This is the quagmire GM Ryan Pace has stepped into and now must try to fix. He's patiently waited on making any significant moves at the position, trying to build up the rest of the roster. He may be out of time now though. After watching Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley take turns coughing up winnable games it's clear they need a different answer in 2017. There will be plenty of interesting options to consider. Yet the one that gives them the highest probability of success is somehow the most detested by almost every fan. Tony Romo was once the toast of an entire city when he started for the Dallas Cowboys. An undrafted free agent who came out of nowhere to become the all-time franchise leader in passing yards and touchdowns. It somehow seems so fitting that his time there came to an abrupt end thanks to another young quarterback who seemingly came out of nowhere. Dak Prescott just concluded leading the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and #1 seed in the NFC playoffs. He's also headed to his first Pro Bowl and possible Rookie of the Year honors. This all but guarantees that Romo is done in Dallas. They aren't going to pay him $14 million next season to just sit on the bench. Jerry Jones may be filthy rich but he's not a stupid businessman. The writing is on the wall. Everything points to Romo being available for another team. Of course this has led to inevitable speculation about where he might end up. Playoff contenders like Denver and Houston are popular ideas. Also on that list? Yep. The Bears. It shouldn't be a surprise. They need a quarterback. Their GM, Pace was a former teammate of Romo at Eastern Illinois. The connections are easy to make. Problem is people across the media and social media seem genuinely concerned it might happen. https://twitter.com/dabearsblog/status/819222830017609728 https://twitter.com/CEmma670/status/821839382336471040 https://twitter.com/SM_CBur/status/821785941530419200 https://twitter.com/aharless76/status/821490342432215040 https://twitter.com/sethpeterson1/status/816026753953107968 https://twitter.com/IBcoppin/status/823761103268286464 Look it's not like anybody is saying Romo would be the long-term solution for the Bears. He's turning 37. The idea isn't to build a team around him over the next five seasons. It's to bring in a proven commodity who might be able to get more out of the offense until they can find that guy for the future. The classic term is a "bridge" quarterback. Even then people still aren't buying in. In fact many argue that the Bears might as well just keep Cutler rather than endure that headache. The problem with that argument is Romo is better than Cutler. It's not an opinion. It is simple fact. Everything from the numbers to the wins bear that out. Don't believe it? Here is a breakdown of their key stats since 2009 when Jay joined the Bears.

Record

• Cutler:  51-51
• Romo:  51-37

Playoff Appearances

• Cutler:  1
• Romo:  2

Passing Yards

• Cutler:  23, 443 (102 games)
• Romo:  23, 621 (88 games)

Passing TDs

• Cutler:  154
• Romo:  167

Pro Bowls

• Cutler:  0
• Romo:  2

That should pretty much quash any debate that Cutler is superior or even equal to Romo. Keep in mind this isn't counting the other two Pro Bowls and playoff appearances he had prior to 2009. People also love to say that Romo is a choke artist. He always comes up short in big games. The thing is that's not entirely true either. Romo has 26 fourth quarter comebacks in his career, including one in the playoffs. Cutler has 21. Romo also has two playoff wins. Cutler has one. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/9-Tony-Romo-Top-10-Dallas-Cowboys-of-All-Time-NFL-Films.mp4"][/video] People are so focused on the future regarding the Bears quarterback position that they aren't stopping to recognize reality. This coaching staff doesn't have that luxury. John Fox is 9-23 in his first two seasons with Chicago. He went from 6-10 to 3-13. Anybody with a lick of common sense knows he's coaching for his job this coming season. If there isn't a significant improvement from this team, he will be fired. Would Fox really be willing to put his likely last shot as an NFL head coach in the hands of a rookie draft pick or an unproven backup? Or would he go down an avenue that has brought him so much success in the past? Signing a quality veteran in free agency. It worked for him in Carolina with Jake Delhomme and again with Peyton Manning in Denver. There really isn't any argument against the idea from a logical standpoint. Romo is 15-4 in his last 19 starts. The Bears would likely get him at a reasonable price if and when Dallas cuts ties. Even if he wanted similar money they could still afford it. Latest estimates put them at over $58 million in cap space this March. That would go even higher once they part ways with Cutler and his hefty contract. The only counterargument that makes any sense is the health concerns. Romo missed significant time in 2015 and part of 2016 with an injured back. While a fair worry, nothing is won in the NFL without risk. Don't forget Manning had questions about his neck when the Broncos signed him in 2012. Besides that the Bears could easily build injury protections into whatever contract he signs. Then they just re-sign Brian Hoyer to serve as backup in case something does happen. Something the 30-year old seemed quite open to.

"Being a free agent, I'd love to have that continuity, especially after what I went through the last three years. I have a really good comfort level. We had a difficult year and dealt with a lot of injuries, but I really like our team and would love to be a part of it."

This plan would not remove the idea of drafting a quarterback, but it wouldn't make it a necessity. At least for one more year. That would allow Pace a prime opportunity to get two or three more impact guys for the offense and defense. Then when they do come around to drafting a QB high, they'll be eve more prepared than they are now. Often the best decisions involve not overthinking the obvious. A Chicago Bears Tony Romo connection would be better than anything else they could put together for 2017. If it's about winning now (and it may have to be) this is their best hope.