Five Worst Trades in Chicago Bears History
3. 1997- The Chicago Bears trade their first round pick (11th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks for Rick Mirer
When I decided to put this list together, I really assumed this trade was going to be number one, but thanks to George Halas (that’s right, Papa Bear), this trade is only number three on the list. Rick Mirer was the second overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 1993. Mirer was destined for greatness and many assumed he would become one of the best QBs in the league. He was labeled ‘the next Joe Montana.’
Unfortunately for Seattle, Mirer was not one of the best QBs in the league, he was, however, one of the worst. Mirer was steadily at the bottom of the league in every statistical category and led Seattle to a woeful 20-31 record over his four years with the team. Things bottomed out for Mirer in 1996 when he was only 2-7 in nine starts throwing just 5 TDs and 12 INTs and a woeful 56.6 passer rating.
The Seahawks were ready to move on from Mirer and made him available in the offseason to see what they might be able to receive for their failing quarterback. To their surprise, apparently it was the 11th overall pick in the draft! The Bears swooped in and picked up Mirer thinking he would solve their quarterback issues. Apparently no one in Chicago watched any game tape from Mirer’s Seattle days and made this decision based only on his days at Notre Dame.
To nobody’s surprise, Mirer’s career in Chicago was a complete failure. He lasted one season in Chicago starting three games (the Bears lost all three), failing to throw a TD pass while throwing 6 interceptions. His career passer rating in Chicago was 37.7. The Bears parted ways with Mirer at season’s end less than a year after thinking he was worthy of a first round pick.