The Bears want to push Mitch Trubisky with a quarterback they acquire, either in free agency or the draft. Here are the five most likely quarterbacks to land in Chicago:
1. Andy Dalton — He checks all the boxes, having started 133 games and having played under new Bears coordinator Bill Lazor. But is he any good? And will the Bengals be able to trade him, or should the Bears hope they cut him with one year left on his deal?
2. Case Keenum — He’s Dalton Lite, having started 62 games in his career. New tight ends coach Clancy Barone was on the Vikings’ staff when Keenum had his best season in 2017, posting a 98.3 passer rating and going 11-3.
3. Nick Foles — The former Super Bowl MVP has played the role of QB2 with aplomb throughout his career and is tight with Bears coach Matt Nagy and new quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. But he’s owed so much money in his failed starting gig — his cap hit is more than $22 million in 2020 — that the Jaguars would have to attach a draft pick to trade him to the Bears.
4. Marcus Mariota — He and Mitch Trubisky share an agency, and it probably doesn’t want two quarterbacks fighting for the same job. But unless Mariota is promised a starting job elsewhere, the Bears can offer him a better chance than most teams. His positive attitude is a plus, considering the emphasis the Bears put on the chemistry of the quarterbacks room.
5. Derek Carr — It would be hard for the Bears to do better than adding Carr, but the Raiders need to be motivated to trade him first. Bears fans should root for them to land Brady.
QB merry-go-round
The NFL never has seen so many high-profile free-agent quarterbacks. Here are the situations around the league Bears fans must monitor:
Patriots — Will they re-sign Tom Brady, or will the 42-year-old leave the only team he has known?
Buccaneers — After Jameis Winston threw for a league-high 5,109 yards and 30 interceptions last season, the Bucs could seek out new Florida resident Philip Rivers.
Chargers — They could look to make a splash before moving into their new stadium — or they could draft Rivers’ replacement with the No. 6 pick.
Titans — Ryan Tannehill led the league in passer rating last season and is eligible for the franchise tag.
Panthers — Cam Newton’s not healthy enough to trade just yet. Will new coach Matt Rhule usher him out by signing a veteran?
Raiders — They’re moving to Las Vegas this season, and coach Jon Gruden is notoriously picky about quarterbacks. Time to trade Derek Carr?
Colts — Jacoby Brissett inherited the starting job after Andrew Luck’s shock retirement and was perfectly average. Is Rivers a better fit?
Best of the rest
The top three free agents at the Bears’ other top areas of need:
Tight end: Falcons’ Austin Hooper, Colts’ Eric Ebron and ex-Packer Jimmy Graham
Cornerback: Cowboys’ Byron Jones, Broncos’ Chris Harris and Titans’ Logan Ryan
Guard: Redskins’ Brandon Scherff, Patriots’ Joe Thuney and Lions’ (and Marmion Academy’s) Graham Glasgow
Safety: Saints’ Vonn Bell and 49ers’ (and NIU alum) Jimmie Ward and ex-Dolphin Reshad Jones
