The Chicago Bears still look like a team that could be quarterback hunting in 2020. Mitch Trubisky has yet to show anything close to the form he finished 2018 with despite a nice stretch last Sunday against Detroit. He needs to show a lot more in order for people to have confidence he deserves another season to mature. Signs point to next offseason as a big opportunity for GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy to secure a quarterback who fits this offense.
It looks like the veteran crop will be especially interesting next spring. Already several notable names are expected to be available from longtime veterans like Eli Manning, Joe Flacco, and Andy Dalton to former 1st round picks like Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. There is also a significant buzz around former MVP Cam Newton too since it seems Carolina is falling in love with Kyle Allen. However, there could be one other name people haven't really discussed.
Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly was one of the first to mention it.
"Though we think Mariota will be cut loose in Tennessee, Ryan Tannehill could be too, and the Panthers might try to trade Cam Newton, whom they will have to at least consider cutting for a $19 million cap savings if a deal can't be struck.
Joe Flacco will almost certainly be available, and don’t be at all surprised if Ben Roethlisberger is for the right price in a trade too."
Chicago Bears would certainly look different with Big Ben
People haven't really discussed Ben Roethlisberger lately because he's been out since the beginning of the year due to an elbow injury. Initially most believed he'd be back at it again for the Pittsburgh Steelers next season. However, is that set in stone. Big Ben will turn 38-years old in 2020 and coming off major elbow surgery. Then there is the fact his backup Mason Rudolph, the Steelers' 3rd round pick from 2018, is showing improvement as the starter with 11 TD passes and just four interceptions in seven games.
If he can continue to steadily get better down the stretch and even sneak the Steelers into the playoffs? That might convince the team it's a good time to part ways with Roethlisberger rather than pay him $33.5 million next season.
So where do the Bears come in? Obviously they're not in a position to pay that sort of money. Not without clearing out a ton of cap space which means unloading a handful of high-priced players. However, if the Steelers were to release Roethlisberger, then things get interesting. He'd still be expensive, but they would likely be able to get him at a slightly reduced price.
Will there be risk involved? Of course. His age and health history make that obvious. That being said, this guy threw for 5,100 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2018. There is enough evidence to think he might have at least one more good year in him. If the Bears were looking for a bridge quarterback who can buy them time to find their next long-term option, they could do a lot worse.
