Panic is setting in across the state of Illinois as word spreads the Chicago Bears seem to have their sights set on their next quarterback. Only it's not the white knight they see in Jimmy Garoppolo or the old gun coming to save the town from burning like Tony Romo. No it's a potential extension of mediocre nightmare from which they just can't seem to wake up.
That's the feeling anyways as news hit the team has eyes for 27-year old Mike Glennon. A former backup of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he's expected to be one of the top free agent quarterbacks available. Initial rumors indicated the Bears and Jets were interested, something Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has since confirmed.
"Indications are that Glennon will be the Bears' top target to replace Jay Cutler, potentially pairing the veteran with a draft pick. A third-round pick in 2013, Glennon started 18 games in his first two seasons with the Bucs before Jameis Winston replaced him. One NFC South head coach praised the 6-foot-7 Glennon for a strong arm, good decisions (30 touchdowns, 15 interceptions in his career) and a quick release considering his big frame. The Jets are considered a potential suitor, and Glennon could cost $10 million to $12 million per year."This could not be worse news for fans. Many are asking how the Bears can possibly justify Glennon being an upgrade over Cutler or even Brian Hoyer this season? Given the avalanche of reasons spreading across social media, it seems like downright madness. Is it though? Here is a rundown of the highlights people are arguing.
He's another Brock Osweiler
The connection is beyond easy to make. A former Day 2 draft pick who has spent a number of years as a backup, got limited chances to start, and is exceedingly tall with a decent arm. That was the description that fit Brock Osweiler when he left the Denver Broncos last season for free agency. The Houston Texans felt his upside was enormous and made sure to land him with a gaudy $72 million contract including $37 million guaranteed. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Osweiler-Throws-Another-INT-Leads-to-Lewis-TD-Texans-vs.-Patriots-NFL-Divisional-Highlights.mp4"][/video] Glennon looks almost like the same exact player, but just the sequel. At least that's what former Bears scout and current draft analyst Greg Gabriel says."Glennon is nothing more than Osweiler 2.0, if that. Tall, immobile, average accuracy."How can one not think that when looking at the two? They're almost identical in body type and skill set. What's the saying? Fool me once etc. etc.
Came from 2013 draft class
Many experts have chosen to block out the memories of the 2013 quarterback class. Mostly because its been hard to watch over the years. Even going into the draft there were those who felt it might be one of the worst groups to come out of college in years. Not only no sure things, but not even a reasonable project who could become a long-term starter. Just look at the list of gems Glennon was grouped with.- E.J. Manuel
- Geno Smith
- Matt Barkley
- Ryan Nassib
- Tyler Wilson
- Landry Jones
He wasn't a winner
Winning is the bottom line in the NFL. That is what teams look for the most when evaluating quarterbacks. It's why Deshaun Watson remains one of the best prospects in the draft. He went 28-2 over his final two years at Clemson, capping it with a national championship victory for the ages over Alabama. This is why people are willing to give him a free pass despite a number of nagging red flags about his game. https://twitter.com/SportsCast_THN/status/818807739497398272 Glennon gets no such courtesy for the simple fact that he can't make the same boast. In 18 starts across two seasons for the Buccaneers he went an ugly 5-13. That doesn't exactly get the blood pumping about this guy being able to turn around a team that just finished going 3-13 this past season. It just feels like the team would be running in place rather than upgrading.He'll cost too much
Word is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already made an attempt to bring Glennon back as one of the highest-paid backups in the league. They offered him a deal at $8 million per year. A nice chunk of change for essentially riding the bench. https://twitter.com/JasonColeBR/status/837417957546426369 Amazingly Glennon declined the offer. Likely for two reasons. The first being he and his agent feel a weak free agent class and questionable draft give him better odds of making more elsewhere. The other being he wants to play. Current estimates are that Glennon will command somewhere between $10 million to $12 million per year. Considering he hasn't started a game since 2014, this sounds like an absolutely insane investment for any team.Are they right?
Often the best way to determine a confusing situation is by challenging it. Is this really as bad as it sounds? We'll start with whether or not he's like Osweiler. Across 21 career starts, Osweiler averaged 234 yards, 1.19 touchdowns and 1.04 interceptions per game. Glennon averaged 223 yards, 1.61 touchdowns and 0.83 interceptions per game. So while Osweiler put up more yards, Glennon was considerably more efficient. Arthur Arkush of Pro Football Weekly also pointed out another fundamental difference between the two."Osweiler had six starts worth of regular-season tape, all playing with an elite defense, one of the game's better receiving duos and under the tutelage of renown QB guru Gary Kubiak. Moreover, they occurred following three-plus seasons of sharing a QB room with Peyton Manning, as smart as any player to ever snap on a chinstrap. Glennon was thrust into a starter's role as a rookie, without a run game, no decent secondary option behind Vincent Jackson and behind an offensive line even worse than Denver's deteriorating unit protecting Manning and Osweiler."Next comes the fact he was part of the 2013 class. There is no denying that it remains one of the worst in the past decade. If not the worst. However, being part of a class doesn't define the individual. In fact, here is what respected draft guru Greg Cosell said about him prior to that draft four years ago.
"I would argue that, in my opinion, Glennon could (go) late in the first round and I wouldn't have a problem with that at all. As I talked about his attributes, I think he has probably -- of the quarterbacks in this class -- more of the attributes that you look for than maybe any other quarterback in this class. I think the thing that stands out with him, first of all, his functional mobility for a big man is far better than people might give him credit for. You see him move out of the pocket and make throws. He can do that. The thing I really like about him is his willingness to pull the trigger. You've got to do that in the NFL."Then there is the stigma that he's not a winner. He can't elevate his team. Again, there is actually a debate in that. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 6-26 between the 2013 and 2014 seasons. What nobody bothers to point out is they were 5-13 with Glennon under center and 1-13 without him. Three of their victories were achieved by fourth quarter comebacks he led. So maybe it was less about him being bad and more about the team being bad. [video width="1280" height="662" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Mike-Glennon-Game-Winning-Drive-VS.-Steelers.mp4"][/video] Lastly there is the price. Of course $10-12 million is a lot of money. That's not debatable. Still, one must put this in the context of the current market. The highest paid quarterbacks are making just over $24 million per year. Jay Cutler would bring in $16 million for this year were he to keep his current deal. So in truth it's not as much money as people think. In fact it would be right around the same amount Ryan Fitzpatrick made for last season. Look, a team doesn't throw that amount of money at a guy they believe is a franchise quarterback. They give it to somebody they feel can be a placeholder under center with strong pieces put around him. If he plays efficiently and can make a few big plays, a strong running game and tough defense can do the rest. That appears to be what the Bears are aiming for with this move. It's less an indication of how much they believe in Glennon rather than how little they think of the upcoming quarterback class in the draft. This isn't a perfect solution but it's important not to summarily dismiss it without knowing the facts. Glennon got a raw deal in Tampa Bay. His first year he worked with offensive coordinator Mike Smith, an assistant coach who had credibility and two Super Bowl rings but had never been a coordinator before. A year later the system changed under new head coach Lovie Smith. Making it worse was the fact that new offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford was immediately struck with an illness that sidelined him indefinitely. He was replaced by another first-timer, Marcus Arroyo. Through all that, Glennon still managed a 2-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio. That team had no sense of direction on offense. It's only natural that Glennon struggled. Of course nobody bothers to mention this. Pace believes that in the Bears' system with solid protection and Jordan Howard to feed, it will be different. It's not a crazy thought.
