Jimmy Garoppolo To The Bears? The Smoke Is Getting Thicker

All eyes are on Deshaun Watson, Matthew Stafford, and Dak Prescott. Those are the big three quarterbacks that could drastically shake up the NFL landscape should they end up being traded or sign elsewhere. Recent updates confirm Stafford is definitely leaving Detroit. Watson? He's requested a trade. Thus far the Texans have declared their intent to keep him. As for Prescott, he continues to be without a long-term deal and the Dallas Cowboys have until March 9th to apply the franchise tag. With those three in limbo, potential second-tier options like Jimmy Garoppolo await their fate. It's amazing to think the 29-year old got to this point so fast. Not even a year ago he had the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl and was one incompletion away from likely cementing a championship. Now there is rampant speculation he could be out. If so, could the Chicago Bears be one of the teams intent on making a run at him?

That is where the rumors are going at the moment. 

Several sources on social media have come forward saying the Bears are inquiring about Garoppolo. No doubt this is on the heels of reports surfacing that San Francisco is going hard after Stafford. Some even think a deal could be done by next week. This would make Garoppolo expendable and a likely candidate to be cut. No doubt the Bears might be interested in snagging him, at least from a financial standpoint. The quarterback isn't likely to command a large price on the market. Signing him to a team-friendly deal would enable the Bears to keep their draft picks and hopefully build the rest of the offense. Of course, plenty of people see that as a pointless endeavor. Most consider Garoppolo no better of a quarterback than Mitch Trubisky.

Jimmy Garoppolo is more likely a last resort for the Bears

A source informed me that the team doesn't have him high on their list at the moment. This due to his growing injury history. Since the start of 2018, he has missed 23 combined games. First with a torn ACL and then a persistent ankle problem. The Bears have already had issues with fragile quarterbacks in the past. They would prefer not to go down that road unless given no other choice. Unfortunately, their minds could change in the next two months. From a business perspective, the Bears are in an awkward spot. They don't have a lot of cap space and don't have a top 10 pick. This makes the idea of acquiring a top veteran via trade or a top college prospect remote unless they can work some magic. It's very possible the markets won't break their way, which will force them into a decision.

Do they gamble on a draft pick later in the 1st round or a cheaper veteran?

Jimmy Garoppolo would be a gamble for sure. His health history alone proves that. He also was always consistent. Over his last 12 games including the playoffs, he has 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. This despite the consistent presence of a reliable running game. At the same time, he's 22-8 as a starter since joining the 49ers, has a solid arm, quick release, and is accurate. Maybe Nagy's offense would fit his style. Plus the idea of playing for his hometown team (Garoppolo is an Arlington Heights native) would give him extra motivation.