Chicago Bears: 3 Quarterback combinations that could find success in 2021

In this scenario, the Chicago Bears look to free agency over the 2021 NFL Draft

3. Top free agent, Nick Foles, and a mid-to-late-round draft pick

In this combination, the Chicago Bears ignore the 2021 NFL Draft early to focus on other areas of need like offensive line (specifically tackle) and wide receiver. The team would need to get creative in this scenario with team cuts, but it is possible for them to find enough cap space to sign a free agent quarterback in 2021.

The team could do a few more contract restructures. Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller and/or Robert Quinn would be the guys to look at restructuring. Extending Akiem Hicks could also free up some much-needed space. Cuts to Charles Leno, Bobby Massie and Buster Skrine are musts and would give the Chicago Bears enough space to make a run at Dak Prescott if the Cowboys do not extend or franchise tag him.

Prescott is the ideal option here and would instantly make the Chicago Bears a front runner in the NFC. The problem is that the Cowboys are not likely to let Prescott reach free agency after witnessing Andy Dalton under center. This means the Bears would have to look elsewhere.

In this scenario, the team is unable to retain Mitch Trubisky. This means that the Bears will see many similar faces to those who were available in 2020. The team passed up on Jameis Winston, but he would be my lead target in free agency after sitting behind Drew Brees in New Orleans this season. Winston is a turnover machine, but he is also a scoring machine. I’d like to see him in Chicago to see what he can do. I would suspect Winston outplays and starts over Nick Foles.

The other option here would be Philip Rivers. Rivers signed a one-year deal with the Colts in 2020. If he reaches free agency again, he could be the better version of Nick Foles — an immobile quarterback who is inconsistent at times. Rivers has once again finished with solid regular season numbers though. He threw for over 4,000 yards, which would be a franchise record in Chicago, with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He helped lead the Colts to an 11-5 record and a playoff run.

The Chicago Bears must once again look to the 2021 NFL Draft to bring in a third quarterback. In this situation, I’d like to see them draft Jamie Newman in the third or fifth round, depending on how the draft is shaking out. My hope is that he’d be there in the fifth as that would be a much better value for Newman who opted out of Georgia’s 2020 season.

If the Chicago Bears are able to lock down Dak Prescott I’d be jumping up and down with joy, but again this is not likely. However, I’d be happy to see a Jameis Winston or Philip Rivers led offense with Nick Foles as the backup and Jamie Newman as the third option who can develop into either a future backup or possibly starter. This scenario could be very successful if the team wants to keep their current window open for 2021.