The Chicago Bears are not committed to finding a new quarterback just yet. This idea is certainly the center of speculation given how erratic Mitch Trubisky has been most of 2019. However, he seems to have settled down over the past couple of weeks. The final four games will tell the real story of where he's at in his development. Was this year a harsh part of the learning process or Trubisky hitting his ceiling and tumbling back down to Earth? If it's the latter, the team has a tough decision ahead of them.
Plenty of names have already been mentioned as possible Trubisky competition or outright replacements in 2020. Cam Newton. Andy Dalton. Teddy Bridgewater. Philip Rivers. The list is actually larger than normal for a given offseason. Such is the mercurial landscape of quarterbacks in the NFL. Now according to insider and Pro Football Talk host Mike Florio on The Pat McAfee show said another prominent name might be available next spring. This one the most intriguing yet.
"Well I think Derek Carr is not going to be the quarterback of the team next year. I think they seriously considered finding another quarterback this year. Mike Mayock, the GM of the team basically said so when explaining why they kicked tires on Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins before the draft. Basically there's an obligation to constantly look for upgrades.
If you find the right quarterback, you got to take him. You got to do what's right for the team. I just don't think Jon Gruden and Derek Carr was ever a good fit. I think they tried to make it a fit. I don't think it works and I think they're going to look for whatever's out there."
Chicago Bears would look different with Derek Carr
It sounds crazy to think about. Derek Carr is viewed as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. In fact, he's having a better second season under Jon Gruden in 2019 than he did in 2018. His passer rating is up to 98.6 with 16 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions in 12 games. This despite having a collection of role players at wide receiver like Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow. How could the Raiders be considering the idea of moving on?
Likely because of the last two weeks. The Raiders offense has completely shut down, scoring just 12 combined points in blowout losses to the Jets and Chiefs. Carr had just 329 passing yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in that span. Gruden, notorious for his fickle nature regarding quarterbacks, might be losing his patience with the 28-year old. Hence Florio's belief that he could be out by next offseason if the Raiders don't finish strong.
Oakland will have two 1st round picks, putting them in a great position to go after a QB of their choice either in the draft or via trade. For a team like the Bears, it would be hard not to have some interest in Carr. His experience, proven production, and big arm are all major pluses. He'd like fit really well in the type of offense Matt Nagy runs with its desire to push the ball down the field. The big question would be the cost. Oakland won't surrender Carr for free, and quarterbacks are expensive.
Odds are GM Ryan Pace wouldn't be able to meet their price this time. Not without surrendering more future assets. Something he has to avoid. Then again, crazy things can happen.
