The Chicago Bears are still in the process of making absolutely sure Mitch Trubisky isn't their guy. His ineffectiveness to this point in 2019 is both a surprise and a disappointment to the team. They truly felt he was on the cusp of taking a big step forward. Third year in the league. Second year in Matt Nagy's offense. A depth chart loaded up with pass-catching targets and an experienced offensive line. Nobody expected him to be elite, but top 15 wasn't out of the question.
Sadly the 25-year old couldn't even give the Bears that much. Everything from his yardage per game to his total touchdowns to his passer rating are significantly down from 2018. If that weren't bad enough, the same problems he exhibited last year from missing wide open receivers to making the wrong reads remain present. It feels like either Trubisky has lost his own identity or NFL defenses have simply adjusted to him.
Either way, his grip on the starting job is slipping. Rumors have already begun to surface that wide receivers aren't happy with him and those at the top of the organization are beginning to recognize that he might not be the guy they're looking for. They aren't in a position to do anything about it right now, but that will change during the offseason. It starts with free agency in March.
Among a list of interested veteran options, New Orleans Saints backup Teddy Bridgewater stands out as the hottest name. Should the Bears make him their target?
Bears will need their checkbook to get Teddy Bridgewater
Nobody made a better career decision this past offseason than Bridgewater. He had a chance to become a starter by joining the Miami Dolphins. Instead, he took less money to stay with the Saints for another year. As the fates had it, he was elevated to start when Drew Brees injured his throwing thumb and went 5-0 as the starter. In that time he looked smooth, efficient, and confident.
According to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report, this has drawn the attention of NFL teams and expectations are it will elevate his price tag going into 2020 when his contract expires.
"Bridgewater signed a one-year deal last year worth $7.2 million, meaning he will be a free agent after the season. Several team officials believe that with the right team, Bridgewater could command a salary in the neighborhood of $20 million to $30 million a year.
What makes him so attractive? He's just 26 years old, is a terrific athlete and is extremely smart. His starting stint over the last few weeks showed how seamlessly he can take over an offense and keep it humming. He is, in many ways, the prototypical franchise quarterback candidate."
It's true. Bridgewater should've been the franchise guy in Minnesota before his horrible knee injury in 2016. The fact he's battled all the way back to this point is a testament to his mental fortitude. Whether the Bears are willing to pay him that contract is difficult to know for sure. They aren't swimming in cap space looking towards next year. Even with a rollover of the $17 million they currently have, they'd have just over $12 million at their disposal.
This means they would have to clean up the books.
That means unloading contracts of pricey veterans they can no longer afford or who aren't worth what they're getting paid. The Bears do have some names that fit that description. Kyle Long and Prince Amukamara, both in their 30s and less effective than they were in 2018, would net the team $16.1 million in extra cash by themselves.
They also could seriously consider moving Leonard Floyd out as well. He's been sackless for six-straight games and proving to be a disappointment as a pass rusher. That would bring in another $13.2 million. This would give the team more than enough flexibility to add Teddy Bridgewater and also deal with other contract issues as well.
Then again they may wish to avoid a bidding war with other teams and try to find a decent veteran for a cheaper price while using that extra money to shore up other areas of the roster. It will be a fascinating offseason to be sure.
