The Chicago Bears may have said they're moving forward with Mitch Trubisky as their starter in 2020. That doesn't mean they planned for him to be alone. With the two spots on the depth chart vacating behind him, it feels like the perfect opportunity for GM Ryan Pace to turn up the heat on the 25-year old. This in the form of competition. Be it an older veteran or highly touted rookie draft pick.
It sounds easy enough. The problem is the quarterback market is always competitive and other teams will be pushing hard for getting the best options out there. This means the Bears would need a dose of good luck to find one. As the offseason moves forward, some pretty interesting rumors have begun to pop up. Including the availability of two notable quarterbacks.
Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions. The buzz around the Raiders has persisted that Carr isn't in the best standing with head coach Jon Gruden. This might explain why NBC Sports insider Peter King felt it was possible that the team could be a landing spot for Tom Brady, who is a free agent.
"My personal darkhorse, by the way: the Las Vegas (nee Oakland) Raiders. Jon Gruden’s favorite quarterback is always the one he doesn’t have. No clue if he’s remotely interested, but my antennae would be up for the Raiders and Brady."
If that weren't enough, it gets crazier.
Mel Kiper Jr., the longtime NFL draft insider and analyst, believes the Lions might be keen on making a move of their own at quarterback. With the #3 overall pick in their possession, it feels like this could be their best opportunity to move on from Stafford.
It sounds nuts, but this is the NFL. Anything is possible. So what happens if this comes true? What if Stafford and Carr change teams in 2020? Here's how it might affect the Bears.
Chicago Bears should want Carr and Stafford to move
So let's say these scenarios happen. The Raiders go all-in on Brady while the Lions start fresh with Tua. This means Carr and Stafford get traded. Are the Bears in position to get either? No. Both would likely cost at least a 1st round pick and probably more. Nevermind the fact that Detroit wouldn't dare deal Stafford to a division rival. However, even if they don't go to the Bears directly, their movement can be good for the team.
How?
Namely, because it decreases the number of QB-needy teams that will be on the hunt for options in both free agency and the draft. Let us look at the landscape. Here is every team that can be called "in the market" for quarterback help.
- Cincinnati
- Miami
- Los Angeles
- Carolina
- Tampa Bay
- Indianapolis
- Pittsburgh
- Chicago
- New England
One should assume Cincinnati will take Joe Burrow #1 overall. So scratch them off. Let's say Miami is the one who trades for Stafford (they have a ton of picks and Patriot connections). Tampa Bay becomes the team to grab Carr since Bruce Arians loves strong-armed QBs. Los Angeles has a top 10 pick in the draft, so smart money says they target that for their quarterback solution. That leaves Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, New England, and Carolina as the only threats the Bears would have to worry about.
Still a competitive field but far more manageable than before.
Suddenly guys like Teddy Bridgewater or even Andy Dalton might be gettable for reduced prices. Something that is sweet music for a resource-strapped team like the Bears.
