Chicago Bears: Is A Quarterback Possible At 11th Pick?

GM Ryan Pace didn’t mince words during the final Chicago Bears press conference for the 2015 NFL season.  He made a lot of profound statements from his strong hints that Matt Forte could return to his seeking a long-term contract agreement with Alshon Jeffery.  However, perhaps the biggest statement was saved for quarterback Jay Cutler.  Pace feels the 32-year old really showed a lot this season under difficult circumstances and he plans to build the offense around him moving forward.

"“I think Jay knows that we have extreme confidence in him, and we’re going to continue to build the offense around him,” Pace said."

A big body blow to the many Bears fans out there who are tired of the Cutler narrative and are anxious to move on to a new chapter.  Then things took a bit of a left turn when Pace added to that statement with a slight indicator that Jay being the starter does not take quarterback off the board moving forward.

"“I think he knows that. I think he also knows that, ‘Hey, we’re always going to draft [the] best player available too and acquire as much talent as we can.’ So we’ve been very open and honest with all our players.In regards to the draft, and I honestly mean this, it’s always going to be best player available. So if it’s a quarterback, it’s a quarterback. I’ve said before how important that position is and that will continue to be the case.”"

There it is.  As plain as day.  Ryan Pace is happy with Cutler and has no problem moving forward with him under center, but that will not change his overall draft strategy.  He is always going to take the best player on the Bears’ board, regardless of position.  If it happens to be a quarterback, then that’s the way it goes.

Ted Thompson made Aaron Rodgers his first ever pick in 2005 despite having Brett Favre still there.

San Diego drafted Philip Rivers even though Drew Brees was entering his prime.

This is not something that is unprecedented.  So the question that must be asked is will Pace abide by his promise and select a quarterback with the 11th overall pick this March if it’s deemed he’s the best player on the board?

According to draft expert and Bleacher Report analyst Matt Miller, there are three quarterbacks in the 2016 college class he considers 1st round worthy with both being ranked as top 15 prospects.  Jared Goff out of Cal is ranked #1 and Paxton Lynch of Memphis is #15.  The next closest is Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State at #30.

So if Goff or Lynch is there at #11, it will be interesting to see what happens.  If Pace ends up choosing either one, it will not only indicate he thought the player was the best available, but it would also show he views that quarterback as a better long-term option than Cutler.  Wouldn’t that be something?