It would appear there's plenty of people out there ready to throw in the towel on
Mitch Trubisky. Is that fair after just 14 starts? Probably not but some people want their dessert right now. Such is the society we live in. So I felt it might be best to at least placate this section of
Chicago Bears fandom and explore the teams' options for 2019. Is it possible they could at least fine Trubisky some competition in the draft?
That's going to prove a challenge. Remember the Bears gave up their 1st round pick next year in the deal to get
Khalil Mack from Oakland. They gave up their 2nd round pick to New England to move up and draft
Anthony Miller back in April. This means their first opportunity to find a Trubisky competitor will be the 3rd round next year.
They could try to make a play for
Teddy Bridgewater who's scheduled to be a free agent next year. However, smart money says the New Orleans Saints will move hard to lock him up long-term after trading for him before the season. Most view him as the
Drew Brees successor. Thus the draft is their best bet.
There's no way to determine yet who may or may not be available. Certain QBs can elevate their stock in the next few months to a point where they'll be out of reach. Still, here are some names worth watching if you're dead set on not waiting for Trubisky.
2019 draft options who might push Mitch Trubisky
Will Grier (West Virginia)
Numbers certainly aren't a problem. Grier, after transferring from Florida to West Virginia, lit the college football world up with 34 TD passes in 2017. He demonstrates good throwing mechanics, understanding how to square his body when on the run and showing better-than-expected footwork. He doesn't seem overly flustered inside the pocket, often hanging in until the last second to find an open man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y0_CYaol-0
While not blazing fast, he's a surprisingly nimble scrambler, able to keep plays alive long enough to make something out of nothing. His pass delivery is crisp and over-the-top while his accuracy is rarely off the mark. The question for him will be whether he can evaluate a field quickly and be able to read more complex defenses.
Comparison: Case Keenum
Ryan Finley (N.C. State)
The stock of Ryan Finley will be the most fascinating to watch over the next several months. He's probably the most pro-ready QB in college football, but he also comes with a tag a lot of people don't like. Finley is a game manager. He's not flashy in any sense. He's got the size and a good arm but tends not to be overly aggressive, choosing to protect the football and limit mistakes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzE9AL9fiKA
His numbers aren't haughty but if you have a defense and a running game, he can be the guy who can make the passing attack a complementary role of both. Does he have the capacity to become more than that? Yes. There's just no way to determine what will happen if he's asked to do so.
Comparison: Joe Flacco
Trace McSorley (Penn State)
Normally he'd be filed under a difficult category of "not big enough and average arm." There's no denying that Trace McSorley is not the prototype when it comes to NFL starting quarterbacks. That said, there is something that sticks out about him. He makes plays. Not just stat-wise, but he is so often doing it late in big games for Penn State.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNOIN1eGXSY
The quality of opponent never seems to matter. He always had his team in the game at the end, often with big plays made by himself. McSorley can throw with good accuracy and is especially at this best when running with the ball. He'll have to learn better footwork and playing from the pocket though if he wants any hope of an NFL future.
Comparison: Colt McCoy
Daniel Jones (Duke)
One name that is always worth following in the college football coaching circuit is David Cutcliffe. Why? He's the architect that produced eventual #1 overall picks,
Peyton Manning and
Eli Manning. Cutcliffe is a notorious quarterback specialist. His latest project, Daniel Jones, might be the most intriguing talent he's had in a long time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX5Vbdey1z8
Jones certainly fits the profile: 6'5, 215 lbs, good mobility and a strong arm to strike deep. He demonstrates advanced fundamentals and an ability to operate from within the pocket. It looked like 2018 would be a breakout year for him after four TD passes in his first two games. Then he broke his clavicle and will miss time. So he'll be one of the bigger mysteries next year, but with lots of upside.
Comparison: Blake Bortles
