The Chicago Bears are in a tough position. They still like Mitch Trubisky and feel with a little more time he might be able to realize that vast potential he came into the league with. At the same time, it's been three years. Two of them were spent outside the playoffs with him not playing well. They can't wait forever. This is why they're expected to go after veteran help in free agency later this month.
The problem is the Bears aren't exactly swimming in money. They currently sit at around $26 million in cap space. That would be plenty if they were just focused on regular team needs, but if getting a quarterback is part of their plan then this is a problem. Quarterbacks are expensive. Especially ones that are even kind of good. Nevermind the really good or great ones.
In an ideal world, they get a guy with credibility for cheap. Lucky for them, Peter King of NBC Sports thinks they have a chance to do just that. A big reason why is the free agent market is unusually loaded this year. It's his belief this will actually work against those involved.
Meaning some aren't going to demand the money they think.
From an agent with vet quarterbacks in the mix, when I said I had no idea how this QB game of musical chairs will end up: “The problem is, there’s way more quarterbacks than chairs.” I can see that.
My prediction: Five quarterbacks will be immensely pissed off a month from today, with a depressed market value for their services. Or no market value.
King elaborated shortly later when he offered a likely plan of attack for teh New England Patriots if Tom Brady ends up leaving.
"I’ll tell you how I see a New England-minus-Brady scenario playing out: New England goes through the draft, and maybe picks a quarterback (I doubt in the first round) and maybe does not. But after the draft, there will be four or five vets looking for a landing spot. Will one—Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Case Keenum, someone else—still unsigned by May 1 be interested in a one-year, low-money deal to recharge a career..."
Chicago Bears could score big if they're willing to wait
Obviously this time of year creates a sense of urgency for teams. They want to get better and want to feel like they're making progress in that direction. It makes sense the Chicago Bears would want to secure a quarterback of their choice once the market opens on March 18th. Since when has waiting benefitted anybody? Well, quite a few times actually.
In 2006, the Baltimore Ravens secured former MVP Steve McNair for a 4th round pick. This happened in June. After the Tennessee Titans had drafted Vince Young. McNair led the Ravens to a 13-3 record that season.
In 2017, the San Francisco 49ers snagged Jimmy Garoppolo from the Patriots for a 2nd round pick. This happened at the trade deadline in October. The 49ers were just in the Super Bowl.
That same year the Indianapolis Colts got Jacoby Brissett in exchange for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett from New England. This took place on September 2nd.
So there is evidence to suggest that teams can sometimes score big at the quarterback position if they're willing to gamble on waiting. King is correct. There just aren't enough open jobs this year for every notable QB on the market to get what they're looking for. Odds are Pace can get somebody worthwhile if he bides his time.
