The way the NFL offseason has unofficially started, you would think that the Chicago Bears are once again doomed in 2021. Following social media and even reporters with inside knowledge of what is taking place inside Halas Hall would make others doubt the Bears made the playoffs in 2020. Yes, I know they squeaked in only because of the Cardinals falling flat on their faces. That does not matter as they made the playoffs within the rules of the league.
The biggest question looming over the Chicago Bears offseason is who will be under center. Mitch Trubisky is gone. Nick Foles is the only quarterback who remains. Now, the question is, will Foles actually be on the roster come to the start of the 2021 season?
The Chicago Bears have plenty of options. Will Deshaun Watson be traded? What about Carson Wentz? Rumors are still going around that Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears are pushing hard for Wentz. Will he end up in Chicago or Indianapolis?
More detail from @Jeff_McLane on what I had this AM in @theMMQB. (https://t.co/Bl09T1415Q) https://t.co/1pvM0n6fUV
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 15, 2021
Beyond Watson and Wentz, any little whisper of a rumor regarding a quarterback and Chicago Bears fans and even the media are eating it up. Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Sam Darnold and more have been talked about when it comes to the Bears and a possible trade. It seems the Watson and Wentz rumors are the only “true” ones. We shall see, as the offseason has not even fully started. Free agents and trades cannot be official until the start of the new season.
Trades are not all that might be an option for the Chicago Bears though. Free agency can bring some new faces to light and so can the 2021 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears might even look to both and bring in two new quarterbacks this offseason. Names like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jameis Winston, and Tyrod Taylor will be free agents. Even Dak Prescott could see free agency if he and the Cowboys cannot come to an agreement and the Cowboys to do not franchise tag him again.
The Chicago Bears might be stuck with Nick Foles again in 2021
The thing is, even with all of these options, it is quite possible that Nick Foles will be the starting quarterback in 2021. This is something Chicago Bears fans need to realize. If the Colts land Carson Wentz, Carr stays in Las Vegas, Watson either stays in Houston or is traded to Miami or the Jets and all of the free agents worth anything sign elsewhere, the Bears could be stuck with Foles.
When it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft, only a handful of quarterbacks are worth giving the starting nod in Week 1 of the 2021 season. The Bears have no shot at Trevor Lawrence and likely will not be able to land either of Justin Fields or Zach Wilson. This leaves Trey Lance and Mac Jones (and for me Kyle Trask). The problem is, the Chicago Bears would likely need to trade up for Lance and Jones. Trask isn’t worth a first-round pick and he is not likely to be there at 52 for the Bears.
Again, this means that Foles could be the guy along with a developmental rookie taken in the third or later rounds. I say it again, Chicago Bears fans need to be prepared to see Nick Foles as the starting quarterback to start the 2021 NFL season.
Hopefully, at least the team can improve in other areas such as the offensive line. Do you see now why bringing in Carson Wentz would not be that awful? The team can improve the offensive line in certain ways, but the options at quarterback could look very bleak, very quickly. Who would you prefer at quarterback in 2021? Foles and a developmental rookie or Wentz and a developmental rookie?