Until the Chicago Bears Make This Move, Their QB Course is Clear

While people are happy the new CBA is set and free agency remains on as scheduled, the Chicago Bears probably aren't feeling too optimistic at the moment. This is because they didn't end up with the financial flexibility a lot of teams were expecting when the agreement was ratified. Rather than a $200-204 million salary cap, it was announced the number would be set at $198.2 million. That is not what a cash-strapped team like them needed to hear.

Particularly in regards to their quarterback situation.

There was a belief that GM Ryan Pace would be aggressive in his pursuit of help at the position. The problem is quarterbacks cost money. Chicago didn't have a huge amount when the offseason began and it's been disappearing quite a bit since then. Danny Trevathan signed a three-year extension to remain in Chicago. Roy Robertson-Harris was picked up on a 2nd round tender for his exclusive rights free agent deal. This could push the Bears' cap total to as low as under $10 million.

Even if they backloaded Trevathan's deal, it still doesn't leave them enough to secure anything other than a projected backup quarterback. That means their original stance of Trubisky remaining the guy is true. The only way this narrative changes now is if they make one more key move.

They have to cut or trade Leonard Floyd.

Floyd is the only solution to this Chicago Bears problem

Of all the contracts that might give the Bears more wiggle room without sacrificing something major, it's Floyd. The former 1st round pick disappointed in every way last season, finishing with just three sacks. Now he's set to make $13.222 million in 2020 on his 5th year option. However, the Bears could get that money back by either cutting or trading him. This would likely give them just enough of a push to at least be competitive in the QB market.

Pace has resisted this idea thus far, stating the team likes his value in coverage and against the run. Yet multiple Bears insiders have suggested the possibility is very real that Floyd is out. It doesn't completely solve the problem but it gets them in the game of the bigger names on the market. Otherwise, expect Case Keenum, Marcus Mariota, and maybe Andy Dalton to be the best they can hope for by the time the dust settles.