The Chicago Bears have quarterback questions. This much is plainly obvious over the past nine games. Mitch Trubisky is struggling, having thrown just eight touchdown passes this year, putting on pace for 16 total. Eight fewer than 2018. His erratic decision-making and suddenly timidity has many fearing he's lost his confidence and may not be salvageable. This is why plenty of fans and media have urged the team to seek out alternatives. Some call for elevating backup Chase Daniel.
Others? They're hoping for a more unconventional route. Easily the most notable name still available on the free agent market is Colin Kaepernick. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who took that team to a Super Bowl in 2012 hasn't played a down in the NFL since the end of the 2016 season. The league would have people think this is simply because his skill set severely regressed. However, most with common sense know that it's likely due to his highly controversial decision to kneel during the national anthem in protest of police brutality.
In an effort to mitigate the PR backlash, the conspiracy theory is the league blackballed Kaepernick. A dispute that has since been settled. Now it appears the quarterback is making his strongest move yet to get back into the league. A public workout has been arranged for Saturday the 16th of November. All teams including the Bears are invited to attend.
Chicago Bears would be sending a message with such a move
This is a delicate situation for the Bears. Attending the workout probably won't raise a ton of eyebrows for most teams. Such might not be the case for them. They've publicly stood by Trubisky through his difficulties this season. They remain steadfast that he can work through them and get back on track towards where he was at the end of last year. If they scout Kaepernick and even consider signing him? The message that would send is undeniable. It's an obvious vote of no confidence in their former #2 draft pick.
GM Ryan Pace is no doubt in a difficult position. He knows the offense is the primary reason this team has struggled to win games and Trubisky is the main cause. It could seem so tempting for him to take a calculated gamble on a quarterback with a more proven track record of success. Even one as seemingly radioactive as Kaepernick. Whether the Bears ownership would be willing to endure the media firestorm that would follow?
That is hard to imagine.
