The 2019 season didn't go as planned for the Chicago Bears. Hopes were so high after their previous year going 12-4 and winning the division. Sadly more of the same, old problems showed up this year. Namely the quarterback. Mitch Trubisky has endured a mostly forgettable season to this point. He's had some nice high moments including the previous three weeks but another mistake-filled showing against the Green Bay Packers proves he just can't deliver against good teams.
He missed too many easy throws and had a brutal interception in the 4th quarter that all but ruined their chances for a comeback. This not counting a number of other passes that could've been picked. He finished with 348 passing yards and 29 rushing yards but it was just empty calories. Every time he needed a money play, he came up short. Good quarterbacks can afford to do that from time to time, but not all the time.
Not against actual contenders in this league. This is why the narrative remains alive that the Bears can and should at least seek competition for him in 2020. Somebody who can come in and legitimately push the quarterback. See how he responds to something he hasn't seen in the NFL yet: the threat of losing his job.
Some might think Chicago isn't exactly a hot destination for quarterbacks who will be available next spring. However, that perception has begun to change in a big way over the past month.
Chicago Bears receiving corps now has two-headed monster
Typically when a quarterback goes hunting for a new team, he's looking for two things: a good defense he can lean on and solid weapons. The Bears already have the former despite its recent struggles due in large part to injuries. However, the bigger surprise is that all of a sudden they have the other part as well. Not one but two legitimate playmakers at the wide receiver position. Something not seen in this city for half a decade.
Allen Robinson cemented what should be a Pro Bowl season by reaching 1,023 yards against the Packers. It's the first time a Bears receiver has topped that mark since Alshon Jeffery way back in 2014. The best part is Robinson is only 26-years old. If the Bears move quickly they can lock him up to a long-term extension this offseason, securing themselves a legitimate #1 target for the next several years hopefully.
The bigger surprise is Anthony Miller. The former 2nd round pick had a strong rookie year in 2018 but struggled to start 2019. That began to change since the loss to the Rams a few weeks back. In the past five games, he has collected 431 yards and two touchdowns. He and Robinson together have combined for 836 yards and six touchdowns in just over a month.
Terrific production and proof the Bears have a true 1-2 punch on offense.
History shows that top quarterback free agents tend to gravitate towards teams with strong receiver parings. Kirk Cousins went to Minnesota who had Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen last year. Peyton Manning went to Denver in 2012 because of Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. The 2020 free agent class is projected to have some interesting names available.
- Drew Brees
- Dak Prescott
- Tom Brady
- Philip Rivers
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Ryan Tannehill
- Jameis Winston
- Marcus Mariota
Obviously all of those names won't be available come the end of March but there's a strong likelihood some of them will be. If the Bears decide they're willing to come up with the necessary cash, it wouldn't be as hard of a sell to get one of them to Chicago if they wish. Rest assured that players scout teams just as much as teams scout players.
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