Should the Chicago Bears Draft a Quarterback with Their First Round Pick

Feb 4, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tiffanie Brncich holds a number 1 jersey of the Chicago Bears at the NFL Draft set at the NFL Experience at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Why draft a Quarterback so high when you have other pressing needs? Let’s take a look at what the Bears’ current needs are:

• Backup Quarterback
• Cornerback
• Guard/Center
• Linebacker
• Defensive Tackle
• Stretch the Field Wide Receiver

Backup quarterback is a pressing need here in Chicago. Not having a viable backup quarterback is what caused Jerry Angelo to lose his job as the General Manager of the Bears. Phil Emery thought he handled the backup quarterback position last year by signing Jason Campbell to a one year contract. Now Jason Campbell is playing for the Cleveland Browns and the Bears have Josh McCown as their backup. Josh McCown is known as  journeyman quarterback. He has played for more teams than I have fingers on one hand –  eight to be specific. The Bears need a backup who can be a starter one day.

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive end Corey Wootton (98) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Do you remember a guy named Aaron Rodgers?

He was picked at #24 by the Green Bay Packers in 2005 while they had this other guy named Brett Favre still playing. It may make sense to pick up a quarterback in the first round if that is the best player available. Who would be worth a first round pick as a quarterback this year in the draft?

 Projected 1st Round Quarterback Talent

Geno Smith

Matt Barkley

Currently there are only two quarterbacks that are projected to be first round talent. The pickings are slim this year.

Phil Emery has said that he has a philosophy of drafting the best player regardless of specific needs. The question is will a quarterback be the best player available when the Bears get to 20? Would the Bears rate Geno Smith and Matt Barkley higher than perhaps Datone Jones, Defensive End out of UCLA? Or how about Star Lotulelei, Defensive Tackle from Utah. It all depends on who is left on the board when it’s the Bears’ turn.

If only Jerry Jones owned the Chicago Bears, then Jay Cutler would know his job is safe and he will be getting a nice fat paycheck in the near future, you know, just like Tony Romo did. 

I am the ultimate Jay Cutler fan, but I also see the writing on the wall. The new regime for the Chicago Bears is lighting a fire under Cutler’s butt. He has to earn the right to be the franchise quarterback of the future Chicago Bears. What if Cutler can’t cut it? Who will the Bears have waiting in the wings to take his place as the quarterback of the Chicago Bears?

I like what Phil Emery is doing as the General Manager of the Bears. He has been addressing the team’s needs from the moment he was hired. He has a plan, and I can’t wait to see it play out.

Do you think the Bears should draft a quarterback in the 1st Round if that is the best player available?