Bears to get closer look at Alabama QB Mac Jones at 2021 Senior Bowl

Alabama QB Mac Jones will participate in the 2021 Senior Bowl, which is a really good thing for the Chicago Bears.

The 2021 Senior Bowl added Alabama QB Mac Jones to its roster Tuesday morning in a development that should pique the interest of Bears fans.

Chicago is embarking on a critically important quarterback-driven offseason, so the more opportunities the Bears have to get an up-close look at this year’s top draft prospects, the better.

Even with the Panthers and Dolphins coaching this year’s Senior Bowl, the Bears will get an up-close look at Jones during the week of practices commencing Jan. 25. They’ll have an opportunity to meet with him as well, something that is even more critical now that the 2021 NFL Combine has been canceled.

Jones has questions in his evaluation that in-person scouting will help clear up. His arm strength, for example, isn’t elite but is it good enough? Watching the live practice reps will help Bears scouts and front-office personnel make that call.

Jones completed over 77% of his passes for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just four interceptions in 2020, a season that culminated in a national championship for Alabama. It’s true that Jones was throwing to an all-world cast of skill players, but so have many top quarterback prospects that preceded him.

That’s why the Senior Bowl practices will be so important. Seeing Jones throw to players who are a tick below those Alabama guys is informative, if not determinative of his ultimate draft stock, which as of now is anywhere from the middle of Round 1 to the early portion of Round 2.

The Bears hold the 20th overall selection, which could be right in Jones’ draft-day range should he perform well in Mobile.