Chicago Bears: 3 Quarterback combinations that could find success in 2021
The first combination for the Chicago Bears in 2021 looks similar to 2020
1. Mitch Trubisky, Nick Foles, and an early-round draft pick
When it comes to 2021, the Chicago Bears might be limited in how active they are in free agency. We still do not know for sure what the salary cap is going to be for 2021, but we do know it will be lower than in 2020 and lower than what was projected. This is not the fault of Ryan Pace, and although 2021 would have been tight, no one could have predicted the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every team is going to have to deal with the salary cap being lowered and just like every offseason, some teams are in better situations than others. As of right now, without any cuts, the Chicago Bears are 21st in salary cap room. This means 11 other teams are in worse situations than the Bears — this list includes the Chiefs, Vikings, Texans, Rams and Packers.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the salary cap in 2021, but what we do know is the cap situation will mean Nick Foles is likely back in 2021 unless he decides to opt-out of his contract. Foles is set to earn less than $7 million next season. This is honestly solid value despite how bad Foles was in 2020. With Foles set to be here in 2021, the Chicago Bears should look to bring back Mitch Trubisky on a cheap deal.
Not sure if Trubisky would come back to Chicago, but if he does not receive enough interest from other teams, it would be fantastic to see Trubisky back on a one or two-year deal worth less than $10 million per season. Trubisky is not great, but he still gives this team the ability to win games and make the playoffs.
His dual-threat ability keeps defenses more honest than when Foles is under center. This helps the offensive line and the run game. The Chicago Bears have averaged 142 rushing yards and 377 total offensive yards when Trubisky started. In comparison, the team averaged less than 53 yards per game and only 272 total offensive yards with Foles starting.
Fans would not be happy with the likes of Trubisky and Foles both coming back in 2021. That said, it makes the most sense and should allow the team to find continued success. That said, Tyler Bray must go. The Chicago Bears need to keep three quarterbacks on the active roster all season (or trade Trubisky or Foles) in 2021. This is because the Bears must draft a quarterback in the early rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft in this scenario.
With the Chicago Bears looking to draft no earlier than 20th, the team will not have the ability to draft names like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields or even Zach Wilson. Trey Lance (I am not a fan anyway) will probably not drop far enough either. This leaves names like Kyle Trask or Mac Jones.
As we get closer to the 2021 NFL Draft, draft stocks will fluctuate, but as of now, it seems only Trask or Jones could be available after the 19th overall pick. The hope will be one drop to the second round. Within the first two rounds, the Chicago Bears must walk away with a future left tackle and a potential franchise quarterback. Trask and Jones seem to be the only two worth drafting early who could be there in the late first or second round. I’d be happy with either.