If Chicago Bears fans have learned anything the past five years, it's to never think GM Ryan Pace won't do something. This is especially true when it comes to trading up in the draft. He's done it nine times in his career to date including three times with his first pick in the draft. If he sees a player he covets, he'll go get him. Period. That's why it's important to watch the quarterbacks in this 2020 class. Especially Tua Tagovailoa.
Why?
Ask Kurt Warner. The Hall of Fame quarterback has studied this class closely and is reportedly a big fan of Tagovailoa. While he understands the injury concerns, he believes this kid has the traits a future top tier NFL quarterback needs.
"Talk about processing. He processes information extremely well. Talk about RPOs, his ability to see, read and get the ball out of his hands. His accuracy on the mid-level is unprecedented. I love Tua.”
What does this have to do with the Bears? Well Warner appeared on NFL Total Access to discuss the quarterbacks. In the segment he determined which offenses would be the absolute best fits for each player. His choice for Tua? That's right.
If Tua Tagovailoa falls, would Pace dare make the move?
Right now there no bigger wild card in the draft than Tagovailoa. Nobody denies his prowess as a passer. However, his mix of shorter size and obvious health issues leave people wondering. Could he end up falling in the draft? It's hardly new for prospects with medical red flags to fall. What makes this a special case is teams haven't been able to evaluate him with their own medical personnel due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This is why many think he could fall. The question for the Bears would be how far? Out of the top 10? Into the 20s? Right now most would say the logical "bottom" for him would be the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots at #22 and #23 respectively. Both teams have need for new blood at quarterback and might be more willing to take the gamble. If Tagovailoa somehow got past them, he could slip to the bottom of the 1st round.
At that point, the Bears would enter the conversation. It wouldn't take a ton for them to get that high and there's no question their search for a long-term answer at QB has stopped just because Mitch Trubisky hasn't worked out. Nick Foles isn't bad, but everything about him says he's a placeholder until the next guy comes along.
