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The biggest question facing the Chicago Bears this offseason is who will be the team’s starting quarterback when the 2021 season begins.
Chicago has been big players in the quarterback market thus far inquiring or making an offer to trade for quarterbacks on or rumored to be on the trade block, including Deshaun Watson, Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr, and Carson Wentz.
Every week it seems like there’s a new quarterback mentioned in regards to the Bears. And with Wentz officially being traded to the Indianapolis Colts, it sounds like New York’s Sam Darnold is the latest quarterback to be mentioned with the Bears.
ESPN’s Field Yates took a swing at predicting all 32 teams’ starting quarterbacks for the 2021 season. For the Bears, who have seen their options swindle, Yates believes they’re going to make a trade for New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.
Part 2 of the Jets prediction is what happens to Darnold. The Bears need to win right away or organizational changes seem imminent, and while Darnold has much to prove, he has supporters within the NFL that could create a trade market.
Why would Chicago be willing to commit to Darnold in a trade and (likely) a fifth-year option when the Jets wouldn’t? Simple. Bears GM Ryan Pace has to be much more focused on 2021 than life beyond it. Darnold represents a likely upgrade over what the Bears have in place, and there’s certainly a chance he could rise under different circumstances than what he had in New York. But honestly, it’s hard to peg the Bears’ next starter.
That all depends on whether or not the Jets use the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback rather than build around Darnold with some weapons.
While Darnold’s collegiate success is well-documented, as many believed he was poised to be the top quarterback drafted back in 2018, that hasn’t translated to the NFL. Which could have something to do with the fact that the Jets haven’t exactly helped Darnold out with skill position players and offensive linemen.
Even if the Bears were to trade for Darnold, it’s no guarantee that he’ll suddenly be the guy he was in college. Chicago needs to address the issue at tackle on the offensive line and re-sign receiver Allen Robinson, otherwise Darnold will be looking at a similar situation on offense.
But the Bears are quickly running out of options at quarterback for 2021. Unless the plan is to trade up and grab one of the top-tier quarterback prospects in the draft, we could be looking at a scenario where Chicago ends up bringing back Mitchell Trubisky on a one-year deal.
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