Clipboard Kings: Assessing The Chicago Bears QB Depth

PART 15 IN A SERIES:

We hear it every year at this time, the backup quarterback is one of the most important positions on the roster.  Whether it is or not is a debate for another time, but it’s under the microscope now more than ever as teams try to justify how many resources, or in some cases how few, they’ve committed to the position….and you hear reports of young QB’s who are just “killing it” in their mini-camps.

The position can either be rendered completely irrelevant: Jim Sorgi never getting his uniform dirty in meaningful situations backing up Peyton Manning from 2004 – 2010.  Or franchise altering: The Colts never addressing the position appropriately, team goes 2-14 without Manning in 2011, total housecleaning, first pick, Manning moves on, Andrew Luck now in place. 

I thought it would be interesting to take a look at every team’s backup situation.  These aren’t grades, just an overall look at the total sum of each team’s outlook if their starter were to go down.  I’ll consider the immediate situation and the longer-term picture.

I’ll go in order of my NFL Power Rankings 1.0, published May 10th.

Today, the Chicago Bears:

STARTER:   Jay Cutler (7th Year)

PROJECTED BACKUP:   Jason Campbell (8th Year)

One of the more surprising moves in free agency saw the Bears snap up Campbell as a free agent.  Campbell may have never achieved the superstar status expected of him when the Redskins took him in the first round in 2005, but he’s pretty damn good.  I thought he had a shot at finding a starting job this offseason.  I certainly didn’t think he was ready to throw in the towel and accept being a backup for the rest of his career.  Sure, it’s just a one-year deal, but the 2013 QB draft class is looking exceptionally strong, and it’s tough enough for non-elite 30-something’s to find jobs as a starter in the NFL these days.  This just may be the way Campbell makes his living from now on.

That’s good news for the Bears.  Cutler is pretty fearless, and that offensive line hasn’t exactly treated him like valuable merchandise all the time.  Campbell may see the Bears as a good chance to see the field at some point and prove he can still play.  Regardless, the Bears did well by convincing him to be Cutler’s caddie.

Verdict:   Good Insurance

PROJECTED 3RD QB:  Josh McCown (10th Year)

When the Arizona Cardinals drafted the good McCown brother in the 3rd round in 2002, then-Cardinal coach Dennis Green proclaimed: “I think he’s going to be a great one, when I buy into a quarterback, I really do.”  Well Green didn’t last long and McCown has played for 5 other teams since.  He’s got a big arm and can move around pretty well for a guy his size, but he’s prone to turnovers.  Still, for a third quarterback it’s tough to argue that you can do much better.

Verdict:  Extra Insurance

OTHER CONTENDERS:  Matt Blanchard (Rookie)

Played at Wisconsin-Whitewater, whatever that is.  No chance to be anything other than a camp arm with this lineup.

Summary:  The Bears have been on the brink of contention for a few years and were burned last year when Cutler was injured.  Caleb Hanie was terrible and with him at the helm Chicago lost 5 straight and missed the playoffs.  You can see by the way they put together this year’s QB depth chart that Chicago isn’t concerned with developing a QB, and usually I would be critical of that.  But it’s hard to argue against their approach this year.  Cutler doesn’t turn 30 until next offseason, and Campbell is in his prime.  McCown is a luxury as a third-stringer, kind of a quarterback Aflac.  If Cutler gets injured again, the Bears hopes of reaching the postseason shouldn’t take much of a hit.  

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