Anytime a long-tenured starting quarterback is about to leave, it creates a vacuum. One where speculation and rumor swirl like a mighty maelstrom during a hurricane. In it, fans can't tell which direction is which. The wind is howling from every direction and all they have is basic instinct to navigate by. It is this reality that Chicago Bears faithful have suddenly been dropped into.
After eight seasons the Jay Cutler experiment is finally at an end. With the leaked announcement that the team would try to trade him this offseason, it's apparent GM Ryan Pace finally plans to make his move at the quarterback position. Cutler will depart Chicago with a 52-52 record. A fitting testament to his up-and-down career with the Bears.
All eyes are turned towards the future and incessantly ask the question. Who will be next? The options appear plentiful but there is no certainty as to what this regime has planned. All they know for sure is that "everything is on the table" as Pace put it. In other words the QB solution can come from anywhere. It's a matter of timing and luck.
So who will it be?
One thing that can be said about the national and local media in regards to this question is that there is zero consensus. Nobody really knows for sure which quarterback the Bears are targeting. Most of them are going off rumors or who they deem to be the best fit. Much of this is due in large part to how absolutely silent the team brass has been on the subject. All anybody knows for certain is that Jay Cutler is no longer their guy.
So who do the experts think the Bears will get? Well here is an extensive list of prominent names with their most recent predictions. The variance is wide from free agents to trade acquisitions and draft picks. If nothing else it offers a perfect illustration of just how unpredictable this offseason will be in Chicago.
- Marc Sessler (NFL.com) - Tony Romo
- Chad Reuter (NFL.com) - Patrick Mahomes
- Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) - Tony Romo
- John Clayton (ESPN) - Tyrod Taylor
- Matt Miller (Bleacher Report) - Mitch Trubisky
- Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report) - Deshaun Watson
- Walter Cherepinsky (Walter Football) - Mitch Trubisky
- John Kosko (Pro Football Focus) - Jimmy Garoppolo
- Dane Brugler (CBS Sports) - Deshone Kizer
- Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) - Deshone Kizer
- John Harris (Washington Post) - Patrick Mahomes
- Dan Kadar (SB Nation) - Deshaun Watson
- Steve Serby (NY Post) - Mitch Trubisky
- Eric Galko (Sporting News) - Mitch Trubisky
- Brad Weiss (FanSided) - Deshaun Watson
- Bob Warja (Chicago Now) - Davis Webb







