Mike Glennon Contract Details Make Bears Draft Plans Crystal Clear

The Jay Cutler era has officially come to a close for the Chicago Bears. After eight seasons the 33-year was grated his release. In his wake was left a legacy great highs and great lows. He's the quarterback who scored four touchdowns in a playoff game and carried his team to an NFC championship. He is the quarterback who holds the franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns. Yet he's also the one who threw the second-most interceptions. Cutler was the epitome of a gunslinger. When he was hot, it was so much fun to watch. When it wasn't, it was cringe-inducing. Finally in 2016 the Bears finally soured on it all. He hadn't started a full season healthy since his first year in 2009. He had more interceptions than touchdowns. Everything signaled that it was time for a fresh start. Nobody in the world thought that it would be Mike Glennon filling those shoes. Already there is a mass panic that the Bears have completely lost their minds. Conspiracy theories are running rampant about what they could be thinking. In truth, the situation isn't all that complex. One must merely examine the numbers. The biggest fear when news of the Glennon signing hit, at least among Bears fans, was that Pace and his staff actually felt the 27-year old could be their franchise guy. This despite no evidence to indicate as much during his time in Tampa Bay. He went 5-13 as a starter and posted average numbers. Would the team really mortgage their future on him? As it turns out, no. Sports Mockery stated a few days ago that this move felt like one part of a plan instituted by teams like Seattle. Sign a veteran who has some upside at a reasonable price and then couple that with a high draft choice. The latest numbers reflect that this is almost guaranteed to be the course of action for Chicago.

Basically the Bears have handed Glennon a decent one-year contract with a simple statement. The 2017 season will be his audition. If he plays well, they have two more years on the contract to keep him around. If he doesn't they can simply cut the cord and try again. Or more likely move to the rookie they're almost certain to draft. Five years ago Seattle signed Matt Flynn to a three-year deal in free agency. Then they spent a third round pick in the draft on Russell Wilson. Two years later the Oakland Raiders traded for Matt Schaub in free agency and spent a second round pick to grab Derek Carr. The idea being that they were taking two solid cuts at figuring out the most important position on a football field. Pace seems to be gearing up for a similar play. The Bears hold high position in each of the first three rounds. Barring a trade back from #3, it seems unlikely they'll grab one in the first though. Smart money says given the general opinion of the quarterback class that the real action will be in the second round. Chicago holds the #36 pick, the fourth slot. This was something reinforced by Matt Miller of Bleacher Report when he contacted a Chicago source.

"Does signing Mike Glennon prevent the Bears from drafting a quarterback at No. 3 overall? "Not at all" is how one scouting source in Chicago put it. The scout told me the Bears will go with a best-player-available approach but don't feel pressured to go after a quarterback in Round 1 now, either."

Translation? Watch the quarterbacks on day two when the Bears go on the clock. If a top talent is there for the taking, there is every reason to think they'll pounce.