REPORT: Chicago Bears Agree To Terms With Their Next Quarterback

Ready or not, Chicago Bears fans, it's happening. The rumors have hinted at it for the past three days but the reality is finally at hand. According to latest reports, the team has agreed to a deal with 27-year old quarterback Mike Glennon. Expectations are he will be their starter going into this season, officially bringing an end to the Jay Cutler era.

Most agree it's just a matter of time before Cutler himself is removed from the Bears roster. Perhaps they're still holding out hope of a trade. Most likely he will be released to clear up the cap space made by this new contract Glennon signs. After that his fate remains unclear. Meanwhile Chicago will be forced to make peace with what has just happened. Glennon is a former backup from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A third round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, he started 18 games through his first two seasons before being relegated to the bench when the team drafted Jameis Winston in 2015. Many believe he's just another Brock Osweiler, a big body QB destined to fall flat after being paid way too much money. Is that true though?

Massive Support

Over the past 24 hours there has been an outpouring of support for Glennon from several different sources. Not just analysts either. Current and former players lauding his work ethic and leadership qualities. This on top of a report Sports Mockery delivered earlier from Tampa Bay area beat writers. Men who stated that the Buccaneers' head coach Dirk Koetter, a QB specialist, stated several times that Glennon is a starting-caliber player.

They weren't alone either. Matt Bowen, another former player and current analyst for ESPN and Bleacher Report decided to delve into the film. Bowen is regarded as one of the most fair and honest evaluators of tape in the business, and he came away impressed with what he saw from the young man.

"Mike Glennon tape (2013, 2014): Arm strength jumps off the screen. When throwing from a stable platform, Glennon can fit the ball into tight windows and hit the deep out, dig, seam, corner, fade. Ball comes out clean. And he is going to challenge defensive backs in coverage. Good feel and anticipation off play action too. Find the lane and deliver the ball. I think Glennon has enough athleticism to produce on sprint and boot action. And he will show the ability to make the occasional off-schedule play. Keeps the eyes down the field. Also works quickly through his progressions and improved reading coverages from Year 1 to Year 2. When forced to throw from an unstable platform, Glennon lacks accuracy and placement. He will sail some throws and his footwork suffers when the pocket breaks down. Needs to improve mechanics and release versus pressure. Step into throws. And find more touch to drop the ball over the top of second-level defenders. The way I see it, Glennon needs more reps. That’s the key. However, from a coaching perspective, he has the tools to develop."

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TAKING A SHOT

At the end of the day it shouldn't be a big surprise that the Bears made this move. For starters they wanted an exit strategy from Cutler. At the same time they needed somebody who could potentially play well right away, giving the team a chance to compete in 2017. Don't forget that Chicago finished 3-13 last year and head coach John Fox is on the hot seat. Glennon provides answers for both issues. He also proved he could produce solid numbers under adverse circumstances. In his 18 starts, Glennon was sacked 56 times. He also had to deal with the harsh reality of NFL business. In his first two years he had two different head coaches and three different offensive coordinators. Yet he somehow managed to throw for 4,025 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while posting a 5-13 record. The Buccaneers were 1-13 in games he didn't start. Not a bad job given what he had to work with. Is this an ideal situation? No. Paying a guy who hasn't started a game for three years that much money feels like a gamble. One brought about by the harsh reality of the NFL:  landing good quarterbacks is hard. Really hard. Chicago knows this better than any city after three decades without a single Pro Bowler. Given the structure of this contract though, it's quite likely that the Bears aren't done adding to the position. There is a strong chance they may use one of their first three picks in the upcoming NFL draft on one as well. Suffice to say the Bears are doing everything in their power to upgrade the most important position in pro sports.