The First Twist For Chicago Bears' 2024 QB Plans Just Dropped

The Chicago Bears have seven games left before making a decision, but it's clear they're at a crossroads with the quarterback position. Tyson Bagent has cemented himself as a quality backup moving forward. As for Justin Fields, his standing inside Halas Hall is shaky. Rumors persist that some in the organization are ready to move on. His ongoing inconsistency is something they fear he will never get over. Others hold out hope he can finish strong. The truth is it feels like the Bears are drifting towards making a change in 2024.

If that is the case, their plans will have to change somewhat. News dropped via Inside Texas that Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is expected to stay in school another year rather than declare for the NFL draft. Experts saw Ewers as one of the top options in the second tier of QB prospects in the class. He'd most likely have gone in the late 1st-to-early-2nd round range. So, while the Bears are far more likely to grab somebody high in the 1st round, a possibility existed where they could've tried to snag somebody like Ewers on Day 2.

Now, that list of options has thinned out. It is possible he won't be the last one too.

The Chicago Bears likely have two paths forward.

Either they take somebody with one of their two 1st round picks, or they keep Justin Fields another year and keep building the offense around him. Giving up their 2nd round pick in the Montez Sweat trade complicates the idea of getting somebody on Day 2. Then again, Poles has traded down in the 1st before. He could easily recoup that if he wished. The variables involved are too numerous to count. Either way, the exit of Ewers from the pool of prospects weakens it. That means if they do plan to draft a quarterback, it would be unwise to wait.

Ewers no doubt hopes another year at Texas will improve his stock, ensuring he's a 1st round lock in 2025. He also probably hopes to push the program into competition for a national championship. Whatever the reasons, his likely exit from the draft picture forces the Chicago Bears brass to alter their plans. The first step in determining what's next is seeing how Fields handles the next month when he'll face three opponents with strong defenses and winning records. If he plays well, that might swing the pendulum in a new direction.