Mike Glennon Trade Floating Around After Ryan Tannehill Injury

Mike Glennon trade rumors began in Chicago the moment the Bears signed him. That may sound unusual but the logic comes from two factors. The first is the subsequent drafting of Mitch Trubisky. Most believe he is now the future and Glennon is merely a placeholder using this opportunity to audition for other NFL teams. Another is the possibility of dangling him in a deal similar to the Sam Bradford situation last year in Philadelphia. In other words offer him up to a desperate team that just lost their quarterback to injury. That's what happened with Minnesota last offseason. Teddy Bridgewater blew out his knee, so the Vikings gave up a first round pick and change for Bradford. The Eagles accepted since they already had Carson Wentz in their back pocket. Some are hoping the Bears could pull off something similar, if not quite as lucrative as that. Turns out a development down in South Beach may provided an answer.

Mike Glennon trade rumors heat up after Ryan Tannehill injury

The narrative is remarkably similar. A playoff team from the previous year with Super Bowl aspirations. A quarterback runs a routine play and goes down on the field having not been touched. This time it's the Miami Dolphins who watched as Ryan Tannehill went to the ground during practice clutching his knee. The same knee he'd injured last year that knocked him out for the season.

News began to spread that it looked bad. The Dolphins feared the worst. Soon that began the speculation about what they should do if that's the case. Former Super Bowl-winning coach and current analyst Brian Billick asked the million dollar question.

That was when fellow NFL Network expert Adam Rank decided to offer the first option. All he needed was two simple words.

Needless the say the buzz began in earnest. There were plenty of Miami fans who were wide open to the idea. Glennon is a veteran with starting experience. The Bears run a similar offense to Adam Gase. It would at least give the team options besides Matt Moore who clearly wasn't up to the task in the postseason. However, initial fears seemed to die down when the MRI came back negative on any structural damage to the knee.

That would seem to kill any potential momentum regarding a trade right? Not so fast. Former NFL doctor David J. Chao reviewed the video and warned that the issue may not be over for Tannehill.

"Ryan Tannehill opted to not have surgery when he suffered what was termed a “partially torn ACL” in his left knee late last season. It was not unprecedented that he would go the rehab route and attempt to play this season with a brace. But it was a risk that his knee would lack stability. Now, the Dolphins’ worst nightmare is being lived out, as their quarterback went down without contact in Thursday’s practice. It appears Tannehill won’t be able to avoid ACL reconstruction surgery this time. Whether the ACL is “partially” torn is not the issue. The knee has proven to be unstable. Nine times out of 10, partial ACL ends up unstable and needing surgery. The hope with Tannehill was that he was the exception. The grainy video is consistent with all instability. Unfortunately for the hopes of the Dolphins and their fans, it does not seem to be consistent with PCL injury (which is not usually season ending) as some have speculated. Rolling out, lead leg override and non contact unfortunately fits the narrative of ACL tear."

Glennon trade value still up for debate but need is there

In shorter terms the negative MRI may not be the blessed relief Miami was hoping for. Tannehill gambled that he could rehab and play with the partial tear this year. Early signs show the knee may not be up to the task. Thus their dilemma returns. How do they fill that void? There is of course free agency. Colin Kaepernick remains available, as does Jay Cutler who prepares for his new career in broadcasting. Those might be more palatable options from a financial perspective. At the same time the Glennon option might be best. He's younger than both and less of a media lightning rod too. It would just come down to price. Pro Football Weekly columnist Arthur Arkush believes the Bears do indeed have a valuable asset on their hands.

So maybe the short-term option with Miami might be a tad farfetched. At the same time, if Glennon showcases some positive qualities this season the Bears could definitely get a good return for him by next year. This would usher in Trubisky while also erasing most of what the team gave up in the trade to get him. Smart business, if that happens.