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Chicago Bears: Free Agents Who Could be on their Radar

By Bryan Dietzler

Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) and defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) celebrate after a play during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Lions won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) and defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) celebrate after a play during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Lions won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to pass during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to pass during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

The list of quarterbacks available is an interesting one. There are a lot available but they are almost exclusively second or third string talent.  There are a few former starters on the list as well but few “big time” quarterbacks.

After analyzing the list, I have broken it down to just one actual decent possibility that the Bears should look at.    I kept in mind only those that could have the capability to start because it appears Chicago has several good backups on their roster.  They shouldn’t get rid of any of the backups just yet (Brian Hoyer, Connor Shaw and Matt Barkley) until they have had a chance to work out next offseason and see what they have to offer.

The free agent quarterback that might interest the Bears the most is Washington Redskins’ starter Kirk Cousins. Cousins has been a prolific quarterback and although his team hasn’t won a ton of games, in the right situation and with the right team he could be a real winner.

It is not yet known if the Redskins are going to try to re-sign him to a long-term deal after the season is over but if they don’t then he could be a hot commodity on the open market. Cousins could demand a lot of money but the Bears should have a lot to spare.  The question is, would they spend that much on Cousins?

Cousins has proven he can win games but just how good could he be in Chicago?  Would he be just a fill in until the Bears got any potential player that they drafted up to speed?  That could be a very likely scenario.  This, of course, assuming they let Jay Cutler go in the offseason.

There are still many questions at the quarterback position.

The current Washington Redskin quarterback could be a good solution but may not be a permanent solution.  The Bears should draft a quarterback that they can develop for the long-term while having someone like Cousins step in and play in the short-term.  On the flip side, with talent like Hoyer, Barkley and Shaw though, the Bears may already have something and would just need to draft the right player to be their franchise quarterback.

Some people have been throwing Mike Glennon’s name around as a possibly.  After seeing what happened with Brock Osweiler this season this may not be a great idea.  The Texans put all their faith in a guy that started just a few games, paid him a lot of money and he has turned out to be one of the poorest starting quarterbacks in the NFL.  Why put so much faith and money in an unproven player?

That does tend to happen often with quarterbacks.  Glennon did put up some decent numbers in his starts with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but the Bears need a proven winner.  Unfortunately, there aren’t too many of those quarterbacks out there in free agency in 2017.

Note: Chicago will have two free agent quarterbacks that they may choose to bring back as backups.  One is Brian Hoyer.  We all know what Hoyer did this season.  He is a fine game manager but not the kind of quarterback that is going to go out there and come up with that last second game winning drive.  He won’t have too many defensive coordinators up at night worrying how to defend against him.  He could be a nice backup.

Chicago may want to see what they have in Connor Shaw who will be a restricted free agent.  Remember that he broke his leg in the preseason and the Bears still want him to be a part of the team.  Chicago will surely keep him well into the preseason to see what they have.  He could be a real gem.

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