Big changes ahead as Chicago Bears make two trades in 2021 mock draft

The Chicago Bears find a developmental quarterback with their third-round pick

With the offensive line retooled, the Chicago Bears look to the quarterback position. None of the quarterbacks left are likely to become a starter in 2021 unless the team sustains an injury to the position throughout the season. With Nick Foles likely coming back as the starter (unless a trade goes down sending him out of Chicago), the team must look to draft a quarterback.

Honestly, the hope in this scenario is that the team was able to land a free agent quarterback or trade Foles for a better option. Since I traded away the team’s future second-round pick earlier, this means that Carson Wentz is no longer in the Bears’ plans for 2021. Sending the 2022 second-round pick to the Eagles plus more is the only way Wentz is coming to Chicago. Let us hope Ryan Pace does not send a first-rounder, although I guess in this case he could gamble it all away.

Honestly, I wouldn’t hate the idea of Wentz in this offense now that the line is looking hopeful. That said, the team must also bring back Allen Robinson or land one of the top free-agent wide receivers in this scenario.

Could Pace send the Eagles a 2022 first-round pick in exchange for Wentz? Would he be willing to not have a first or second-round pick in 2022 should the team succeed enough in 2021 to stick around? Well, he did it before with the Khalil Mack and Anthony Miller trades. Whether it is Carson Wentz, Nick Foles or some other quarterback on the depth chart, the team must still look to draft one in 2021. The team had to go with a developmental one.

Jamie Newman is a very athletic, up-and-down quarterback. He excelled in his junior year starting for Wake Forest. He threw for 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 60 percent of his passes. He only averaged 239 yards passing per game but also gained 47 yards per game on the ground on average and scored six rushing touchdowns on the season.

Newman transferred to Georgia where he eventually opted out ahead of the 2020 COVID-19 plagued season. Newman was brought in to play at the Senior Bowl though where he turned heads prior to the game. Newman has the physical tools and athleticism to keep NFL teams interested. Taking him in the third round seems about right.

At the Senior Bowl, Newman did not fare as well during the game itself. He took a lot of pressure, but some of that was due to his untimely decision making. When given time, he showed great arm strength and downfield accuracy. His footwork was hit or miss and it showed during his incompletions. He threw a risky, contested ball that was picked off after being tipped but had enough positive connections to warrant giving him a look here in the third round.

Ideally, Newman will be able to sit for 2021 and learn behind a competent quarterback. We will have to see what the offseason brings. I’d even be okay if the Bears were stuck with Foles, drafted Newman and also added a free agent like Ryan Fitzpatrick or Tyrod Talor. This is not ideal and doesn’t fix the future (unless Newman hits), but that team competes if at least two of the three offensive linemen drafted prove worthy of their selections this year.