The Bears are looking to add to their quarterback room this offseason, and there are no shortage of options in a stacked free agent class.
While the Bears aren’t like in the running for the services of the likes of Tom Brady or Philip Rivers, there are still plenty of options out there. But with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s future in doubt, general manager Ryan Pace needs to address the position.
Chicago has been linked to several possible trades at quarterback, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were more involved in the trade market than free agency given their salary cap situation.
But if the Bears hope to find a quarterback in free agency, here are five possibilities.
1. Teddy Bridgewater
Ultimately the cream of the crop on this list might be out of the Bears’ price range. Bridgewater took full advantage of his opportunity in New Orleans, where he filled in adamantly for an injured Drew Brees. A former first-round pick, Bridgewater’s performance last season is going to get him paid this offseason.
While many have dubbed Teddy Bridgewater a perfect fit in Chicago, the Bears likely won’t be able to afford Bridgewater. According to Spotrac, Bridgewater’s market value is $20 million. But you have to wonder if the value will increase should a bidding war ensue.
2. Marcus Mariota
Perhaps the most talked about free agent that’s been linked to the Bears is Marcus Mariota, who couldn’t establish himself as a franchise quarterback in Tennessee. But maybe Mariota could get a fresh start — and maybe that’s with the Bears.
Mariota makes sense — he’s a veteran with experience that needs a change of scenery. It also helps that he was on Ryan Pace’s radar back in 2016. But Mariota is also represented by the same agency as current Bears starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, which doesn’t bode well for a Mariota to Chicago move.
3. Jameis Winston
One of the more bold options at quarterback is Jameis Winston, another failed experiment from the 2016 NFL Draft. While Winston has a slew of upside, he’s also the guy that tossed 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in one season. His passing yards are the eighth-most in a single season in NFL history, while his 30 interceptions are the most for a quarterback since 1988.
But Winston is still facing questions about whether or not he’s really franchise quarterback material. If the Bears could get him at a bargain, bringing in a talent like Winston to battle with Trubisky would only serve to make both QBs better. While Chicago appears to want to give Trubisky one last chance to prove himself, Winston would be a good fallback plan.
4. Case Keenum
The Bears insist their confidence hasn’t wavered in Trubisky, but that’s not going to stop them from bringing in an experienced veteran that can push Trubisky without outright winning the starting job. If the Bears are looking for that guy, they’ll find it in Case Keenum.
Keenum has made a career of serving as a stopgap quarterback, where he’s constantly on the move. While he’d certainly mentor and challenge Trubisky, the expectation would be that he wouldn’t win the starting job in training camp. Rather he would serve as insurance should Trubisky’s struggles continue. Not to mention Keenum is more in the Bears’ price range than some of these other quarterbacks.
5. Nate Sudfeld
If the Bears are looking for a veteran quarterback with experience in Matt Nagy’s offense, look no further than Nate Sudfeld. While Sudfeld doesn’t have as extensive experience like some other free agent veterans (he hasn’t started an NFL game), he has learned under Doug Pederson, who hails from the Andy Reid coaching tree like Nagy, and under new Bears quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo.
Like some of these other less proven options, Sudfeld isn’t someone that wouldn’t necessarily win the starting job over Trubisky. But he’d provide a solid backup option should Trubisky struggle. You’d figure Ryan Pace would also draft a young quarterback prospect to follow Trubisky and Sudfeld, should he choose to go that route.
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