The Chicago Bears are yet again at a quarterback crossroads during a season that was supposed to be Super Bowl-or-bust. Instead, it’s looking like quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is the bust. No Super Bowl included.
While the Bears are likely going to stick with Trubisky for the remainder of the 2019 season — otherwise they would’ve made the switch already — all thoughts shift to 2020, where things aren’t so certain and where changes are expected.
Here are five options for the Bears at quarterback in 2020:
1. Mitchell Trubisky
No, Trubisky hasn’t stamped his ticket out of Chicago just yet. Although there’s still plenty of time for him to do just that with eight games remaining. This is the most likely option, however horrific it sounds.
The Bears will still have Trubisky on a rookie deal in his fourth season, not that they should necessarily stick with him because of that. If Trubisky shows signs of improvement in the final eight games this season, that might be reason for the Bears to him another chance.
If Trubisky is back next season, which seems more likely than not, the Bears will likely bring in competition for Trubisky in training camp. If Trubisky wins the job, great. If not, the Bears find a quarterback that gives them the best chance to win.
2. Teddy Bridgewater
The Saints backup quarterback will likely have multiple suitors come knocking this offseason, and the Bears should be one of them. Bridgewater will be the class of the quarterback free agent market, but Chicago’s commitment to Trubisky might be their downfall.
Bears fans saw exactly how efficient Bridgewater was in relief of injured Saints quarterback Drew Brees in Chicago’s Week 7 loss to the Saints. Bridgewater completed 23-of-38 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Bridgewater’s performance in the place of the injured Brees is enough to warrant him another shot as a starter on another team. And why not the Bears?
3. Marcus Mariota
Like Trubisky, Mariota is a former No. 2 overall selection that hasn’t lived up to expectations. Which makes you wonder: Why would the Bears benefit from bringing in Trubisky 2.0?
Mariota’s connection with offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich is one reason. The two go back to their days at Oregon, where Mariota put up 73 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions over two seasons.
While Mariota isn’t necessarily someone that’s going to win you the game, he won’t do a lot to lose one for you either. Mariota might be better equipped than Trubisky to run Nagy’s RPO-heavy offense.
4. Nick Foles
Foles was considered a solid free agent pickup for the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. That is, until he went down with a clavicle injury and the Gardiner Minshew Show took over.
While Minshew Mania has since quieted since his debut, if the Jaguars decided to stick with the younger and cheaper option, Foles could be on the trading block.
Foles has experience in an offense similar to Matt Nagy’s when he with the Eagles and Doug Pederson. But the only issue is the Bears might not be able to afford Foles, given that they still have to extend their own, including safety Eddie Jackson.
5. Someone from the 2020 NFL Draft
Mark this under most likely option right next to the Bears retaining Trubisky in 2020. When all is said and done, the Bears will likely turn to the 2020 NFL Draft to add another quarterback to the roster. Whether that’s to replace Trubisky or to bring in competition remains to be seen.
While names like LSU’s Joe Burrow and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa will be off the board by the time the Bears get around to picking in the second round, there will definitely be some solid options to choose from.
Whether it’s Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts, Georgia’s Jake Fromm or Utah State’s Jordan Love, to name a few, the Bears should look to use one of their two second-round picks to secure a young quarterback to groom. Preferably one that Nagy has a hand in picking.
