One of the primary problems for the Chicago Bears in their long history of quarterback searching has been competition. In truth it's the same for any position. Several other NFL teams are also on the lookout for the best possible talent at QB. More often than not it has felt like the Bears are always the team late to the party.
They've never been that first team to get a quarterback in the draft. The last time that happened was 1951. Since then their options were at the very most the second choice and more often than not the third, fourth or fifth. In other words they were playing against long odds that they'd get the absolute best signal caller available.
This is part of why they've chosen to rely on free agents and pricey trade acquisitions instead. They aren't interested in playing the draft lottery that is quarterback hunting because it's come up bust too many times. However, the reasons are lining up in 2016 to believe it might be different. Recent news strengthens that more than ever.
During his weekly Scouting Notebook, draft analyst Matt Miller covered rumors he's hearing around the NFL. His primary focus was developments regarding teams in the top five picks. He expects the Cleveland Browns to go with pass rusher Myles Garrett at #1. The bigger mystery is what the San Francisco 49ers have planned at #2. While many still feels they will go for a quarterback, the signs are growing that this may not be the case.
"In talking to an NFL scout this week, the topic of the San Francisco 49ers drafting a quarterback at pick No. 2 came up. This take left me thinking hard for days: "Why draft a QB there when there isn't the support system to succeed? Look at [Jared] Goff vs. Dak [Prescott]. Young quarterbacks succeed when they have structure, and the 49ers lack structure. Use that No. 2 pick and build a team before reaching for a quarterback."Even with the arrival of new head coach Kyle Shanahan, one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL, the task in front of him is substantial. The 49ers offense is a shambles. A ghost of what it was just four years ago. Their offensive line is porous and lacking talent outside of aging left tackle Joe Staley. The wide receivers are even worse. Jeremy Kerley led the way with just 667 yards. Carlos Hyde was their lone weapon at running back and he struggled to stay healthy. Is this the kind of situation the 49ers want to drop a young quarterback into? Not if they're being responsible. Shanahan himself even admitted the team isn't going to press for a quarterback at the expense of rebuilding the roster. https://twitter.com/MaioccoCSN/status/832673170477838341 This would explain their heavy interest in names like Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo. Clearly they're seeking upper tier players who have some experience. It would seem their primary goal is to avoid using their #2 pick on a quarterback. At the same time this is great news for the Bears. How so? Unlike the 49ers they are much more well-prepared to bring in a young quarterback. Their offensive line is retooled with Pro Bowl-caliber talent. Jordan Howard is a Pro Bowl running back after just one year. Alshon Jeffery could still remain in town, not to mention the upside talents of Kevin White and Cameron Meredith. That's a situation other quarterback around the league would kill for. If San Francisco is indeed not thinking QB at #2, this virtually guarantees the Bears will have their choice of all the quarterbacks in the 2017 draft class. Whether the group is perceived to be weak or not, the odds favor there being at least one among them who will develop into a Pro Bowler over the next few years. If Ryan Pace's eye for talent is as good as its looked lately, giving him such a list of options is not a good thing for Chicago. It's a great thing.
