Rumors are dangerous game to play this time of year in the NFL. There is no telling which ones will come to pass and which are just blowing smoke. The Chicago Bears have really mastered the art of misdirection over the past couple years with their current regime. It's often impossible to get a sense of what their true motives are.
One nugget that has steadily gained steam though is they are focused on finding a veteran option at quarterback. The reasoning seems obvious enough. They want an excuse to part ways with Jay Cutler. Also they understand the pressure to win in 2017. It's unlikely that a rookie quarterback they take from this class will do the job.
Hence the interest in top names like Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo. Unfortunately they seem too far out of reach. Signs are growing though that another connected to the Bears is becoming likelier every days.
Word leaked almost a week ago that the Bears were interested in Glennon. In fact there is a strong sense from many sources that they should be considered the heavy favorite to land him. Not a surprise since their primary competition is the New York Jets. A team that just jettisoned most of its top veteran talent on offense.
Jason La Canfora confirmed Chicago is the most interested in landing the 27-year old. While he's not their first choice, they are confident he can do the job they'll require of him. The key of course will be cost, and it seems like there is a likely number in mind.
"As for Glennon, he is clearly poised at the top of a very shallow starting quarterback free agent market and several GMs around the league believe Chicago has the strongest current interest in him and will emerge as the front-runner to land him coming out of the combine. The Bears love Jimmy Garoppolo but that requires parting with multiple significant assets and they seem convinced Glennon can do the job. I’d anticipate the money being in the Ryan Fitzpatrick range from a year ago - $12 million per season -- with the chance to earn significantly more via production and incentives."First of all, fans should be grateful that Ryan Pace isn't being lured into a trap by the New England Patriots for Jimmy Garoppolo. There is a limit to everything when it comes to player acquisition and every sign hints the price is just too high. Now $12 million per year sounds like a lot of money. Well, it is but this must be taken in context. Glennon is still relatively young. He's got 18 career starts under his belt and thrown for 30 touchdowns to just 15 interceptions. There is reason to think he's got some game worth exploring. If Glennon receives this projected pay day, that would make him the 21st highest paid quarterback in the NFL. Roughly half of what superstars like Andrew Luck and Drew Brees are currently making. That is a reasonable price and also $4 million cheaper than what the Bears would pay Jay Cutler ($16 million) in 2017. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-wide-receiver-Tiquan-Underwood-20-yard-TD-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video] Keep in mind that was against the 2013 Seahawks defense in Seattle. Glennon has never played in an offense with as much talent as the Bears currently possess. It's almost certain to get even better by the end of this offseason, Alshon Jeffery situation notwithstanding. He'll also have an experienced offensive coordinator in Dowell Loggains. Something he did not have either of his two seasons starting in Tampa Bay. This doesn't mean Glennon is the Bears' future. It just means he can provide them some stability as they keep searching for their true guy.
This may not be the dream scenario everybody hoped for. Even so it's a plan with a solid foundation and clear direction in mind. Many other teams can't even offer that.
