The
Chicago Bears have a big dilemma on their hands. It's no secret that changes are expected at the quarterback position in 2017. Finishing 3-13 and having three different men under center proves that much. This franchise has needed a reboot at that position for some time but wanted to make sure they gave
Jay Cutler every opportunity to realize his potential.
Through a mix of bad luck, bad timing and mistakes on both sides it didn't happen. Now GM Ryan Pace is in a bind. He wants to draft the next franchise quarterback, but the odds of posting a winning season with a rookie are rare. John Fox and his coaching staff are under the gun to win next season. So the idea of a "bridge" veteran quarterback who can start for awhile is being entertained.
Brian Hoyer is the popular in-house name, but many have eyes for another. One who is still young and went to the Pro Bowl just two years ago in Tyrod Taylor. It seems like a forlorn hope that he could somehow be lured to Chicago. Unless of course the Bears see the big picture.
(continue to next page from top)
EXIT STAGE LEFT
The situation with the Buffalo Bills has become a fascinating one. New ownership has begun to make changes to the organization and among their biggest yet was firing head coach Rex Ryan. He was considered the biggest supporter in the building of keeping Taylor as the starter. Soon after his dismissal, the young quarterback was benched in favor of E.J. Manuel.
Now it seems the team has found their next head coach. Most believe that unless it's interim coach Anthony Lynn, another Taylor supporter, then odds are he's done in Buffalo. Turns out that may end up being the case.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/819180204677599232
Odds are the Bills don't want to pay Taylor the $37 million in guaranteed money he'd be owed if he's on the roster next season. Cutting him this spring would allow them to avoid that, and also put one of the most interesting free agents in years on the market. Taylor is 14-14 as a starter with over 7, 000 total yards from scrimmage, 47 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. He's a legitimate dual-threat quarterback with an understated arm.
[video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Marquise-Goodwin-Burns-Darrelle-Revis-for-84-Yard-TD-Jets-vs.-Bills-NFL-1.mp4"][/video]
THE ROAD BLOCK
So the question becomes if he's cut loose, how do the Bears get him? They'll certainly have a lot of competition for his services what with five other teams showing significant needs at the position. First and foremost it will cost money. Luckily Chicago is expected to have over $58 million in cap space this March. That's not an issue.
Thus it becomes a matter of salesmanship. Can they convince Taylor coming to Chicago is in his best interests? John Fox is known for being good at such things, but even he would have a hard time convincing a player that joining a 3-13 team is a wise decision. That means they might have to get a little more creative. Thankfully there's a sneaky way they could pull it off.
(continue to next page from top)
CASTING THE BAIT
The key is Anthony Lynn. This is a coach Taylor has come to like and trust the past two years. Most of 2016 he was their offensive coordinator before taking over as interim head coach. Now he's among the popular candidates for a head coaching job elsewhere. What many don't remember is he actually started out the season as the Bills' running backs coach.
Rex Ryan fired Greg Roman after a month and promoted him to offensive coordinator. With his help Buffalo finished first in the league in rushing and 10th in points scored. They averaged 24.93 points per game. LeSean McCoy rushed for 1, 293 yards and 13 touchdowns. It just so happens that Chicago has a vacancy at their running backs coach position.
Keep in mind Lynn has served under Super Bowl-winning coaches like Mike Shanahan and Bill Parcells. He had a hand in developing backs like Clinton Portis, Fred Taylor, Marion Barber, and Thomas Jones. All made their first Pro Bowls shortly after coming under his tutelage. Just imagine what he might be able to do with
Jordan Howard.
[video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Jordan-Howards-3-TD-Day-Week-13-Highlights-49ers-vs.-Bears-NFL.mp4"][/video]
Hiring Lynn would also signal that a Chicago Bears Tyrod Taylor alliance is instantly more palatable. Taylor would know he's have a running game and one could argue the Bears have a better offensive line than Buffalo did. Combined with the opportunity to have
Alshon Jeffery as a pass target, it's not a bad package to consider.
To top it off, the Bears could have their young replacement on the staff to replace Fox if the 2017 seasons results in his firing. It's a win-win scenario in every sense.
