Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that former Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota visited the Chicago Bears last week in a pre-draft visit. This will only fans the flames of the latest Jay Cutler trade rumor and continue to raise questions about the Bears quarterback position for 2015.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft and his been linked to several teams over the last couple of months. He’s been linked to the Tennessee Titans (#2), the Washington Redskins (#5) and the New York Jets (#6). Lovie Smith and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who hold the top pick in the draft, also worked out Mariota recently. Most experts have the Bucs selecting Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the top pick. That would put the Titans in the catbird seat with the second pick and give them in the inside track on Mariota. If you’re to believe the rumors (and I don’t), the Bears would send Cutler and the #7 pick to the Titans to move up to #2 to take Mariota. Most experts believe the Bears would have to throw in a draft pick or two to sweeten the pot to have anyone choke down the rest of his obscene contract.
With so many needs up and down the Bears roster, I just can’t see them pulling the trigger on a trade to get rid of Cutler for an unproven commodity like Mariota while surrendering draft picks in the process. Ryan Pace has to re-stock an aging Bears roster that is devoid of a lot of young building blocks. Pace has been plugging the dyke with a bunch of 1-year deals with veterans eager to prove they deserve a big payday.
Mariota is probably the biggest question mark at the top of the draft. Some experts can’t say enough about him and his potential, like Jim Mora:
"“I think he’s going to be phenomenal. He has everything you’re looking for to be a great NFL quarterback. He’s big, he’s fast, he’s physical. He’s incredibly smart. He makes great decisions. He’s an amazing competitor,” Mora told Eisen. “He’s one of my favorite players of all time, and I’ve competed against him only twice but I’ve watched him a lot, and he’s about as classy as a person as you’ll ever find. He’s the kind of guy you want representing your franchise. He has everything you want to be great at the next level.”"
Others, like Tony Dungy, think Mariota is like Aaron Rodgers in waiting. Do the Bears want to pass on the next Aaron Rodgers after the current version has tortured them for nearly a decade? If he slides to #7 would you pull the trigger on drafting him? Would you trade up to get him?