The 2017 offseason has started relatively slow compared to the last couple years. Information leaking out during the legal "tampering" period has been rather light for most teams. A rumor of interest here, a re-signing there and once in a while the hushed whispers of a trade. One team though that hasn't been quiet on the gossip front is the Chicago Bears.
Already they've been connected to several notable free agent names over the past couple days. There is Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore, veteran right tackle Ricky Wagner and kick return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson. Not to mention their ongoing dance with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and the lingering hope he can be kept in the fold.
Of course all of those take a back seat to the growing buzz around the quarterback position. What people know at this point is Jay Cutler is likely gone, either via trade or release. Then there is the name that is causing mass riots across social media. One that has many fearful the Bears have lost their minds. A young 27-year old named Mike Glennon.
The main fear isn't so much that the Bears are going to sign Glennon. It's whether or not they view him as their long-term answer at the position. Nobody is convinced that Glennon has the capacity to become a true franchise guy. Given his tape, history and production it feels like he's another Brock Osweiler in the making. How in the world could Pace and Fox honestly think he's their guy?
On the other hand, the perception seems to shift when considering another possibility. That signing Glennon is merely the first part of a more elaborate plan. One that involves still taking a quarterback high in the 2017 NFL draft. The logic behind this is simple. Chicago takes two solid cuts at finding a potential starter and also reach a compromise. Fox gets a veteran under center who can help them win right away. Pace gets a young talent the team can mold for the future.
This is the only way that many people seem willing to accept the idea of Glennon being signed. There's just no way to know. Until now. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport went on TV to talk about the upcoming deal between the two sides. During his talk he gave clear indication that the Bears had every intention of still taking a quarterback high in the draft.
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Presuming this is the case then the Bears quarterback plan takes on a much larger scope. It's clear that Pace is intent on having his cake and eating it too. That is to say he wants somebody who can help the team win in 2017 and hopefully one who can set them up for success in the long-term. Signing Glennon and adding a top tier rookie would be a strong investment towards that aim.
With Cleveland almost certain to take Myles Garrett at #1 and the 49ers hot on the trail of Kirk Cousins, there is a strong possibility the Bears could have their choice of every quarterback in the draft at the #3 pick. A luxury not afforded to them since 1951. Mitch Trubisky? Deshaun Watson? Deshone Kizer? Patrick Mahomes?
To paraphrase Pace, "Everything will be on the table."
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