As expected the NFL offseason is beginning to heat up. Free agency is just over a week away and with it comes an avalanche of rumors. There have already been a ton of franchise tags and contract extensions. Not to mention likely outcomes regarding the fate of certain players. None more so than the quarterbacks. This is by far what will interest the Chicago Bears the most.
For weeks its been felt they might try to pursue a more experienced option, headlined by New England Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo. An Illinois native, he represented the most enticing trade target of anybody on the market. That dream appeared fleeting though with news arriving that the Patriots would not deal him.
Mitch Trubisky is the great enigma of the 2017 NFL draft. Most people didn't know his name at all before the 2016 college season began. Then he broke out with 3,748 yards, 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions. People are very intrigued by his skill set. They feel that if he develops properly he has Pro Bowls in his future. The problem is he only started 13 games in his career. That isn't much. At all.
Yet this wasn't the only news that is certain to cause a ripple effect around the league. Two of the those top veteran options look like they will be out of reach for Chicago.
The Cousins news itself wasn't surprising as everybody expected him to get franchise tagged. No, the surprise was the Redskins using the exclusive version, which means he won't be allowed to negotiate with other teams. In other words he's not going anywhere. As for Tony Romo, it's apparent that he is seeking out a team that is ready to make a run at a championship. Denver was one of the first teams mentioned in connection to him months ago when it was clear Dak Prescott was the new long-term starter. If nothing else this news has done fans a favor. It clarified what the Bears are likely to do at quarterback.
THE YOUNG GUNS
Chicago holds the #3 pick in this upcoming NFL draft. It's the highest selection the franchise has collected since 1972. Debates have raged for months about where they should go with it. Many think it should be the best available defensive players. Others are calling for a trade back to grab more picks. Still many believe this is the best chance the franchise has had to get top quarterback in over a decade. They should pounce on it. Pace seems to agree based on his recent comments at the scouting combine.It's apparent to anybody with ears that the Bears GM, a former scout, is more than comfortable taking his chances in the draft. Experts like Mike Mayock and others continue to warn against such a plan though. They say that while the 2017 class isn't lacking talent, it is lacking experience and polish. None are drawing more such concerns than the name the Bears have been attached to the most.
Mitch Trubisky is the great enigma of the 2017 NFL draft. Most people didn't know his name at all before the 2016 college season began. Then he broke out with 3,748 yards, 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions. People are very intrigued by his skill set. They feel that if he develops properly he has Pro Bowls in his future. The problem is he only started 13 games in his career. That isn't much. At all.
RISK-REWARD
The lingering fear is that he requires patience in developing but any team that drafts him will throw him onto the field before he's ready. That's often a recipe for disaster. An AFC scout interviewed by NFL.com put it best."There are times he looks like another Carson Wentz and then there are times he looks like Blaine Gabbert. He has starting qualities and he'll go early, but he better get better at seeing blitzes and throwing hot or he'll get eaten alive by the exotic packages they are throwing at quarterbacks these days."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImbMbiSVnE&t=34s This is why expectations were high that if the Bears chose to draft their future QB, they'd likely also sign a veteran in free agency. Somebody who can start immediately for the time being until the coaches feel the young gun is ready for action. Their options for that would include Brian Hoyer who played well for the them in 2016 before breaking his arm. Matt Barkley, Nick Foles, Case Keenum and Ryan Fitzpatrick will also be options. Trubisky of course is only the most prominent example. Deshaun Watson, Deshone Kizer and Patrick Mahomes are also top options as well. Chicago is certain to give all of them a thorough examination. This is by far the most important decision GM Ryan Pace will make in his entire career as an executive. Can he succeed where his predecessors failed? Fans will start to get some answers this April.
