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Chicago Bears: 5 Times They Should’ve Drafted Quarterbacks

By Erik Lambert

January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) before a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) before a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) before a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) before a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2005:  Aaron Rodgers

This may be perhaps the biggest oversight of all.  In 2005 the Bears were at a crossroads.  Their previous 1st round pick, Rex Grossman, wasn’t a choice for new head coach Lovie Smith and also saw his previous season end with injury.  They held the 4th overall pick and there were two quarterbacks considered worthy of going in the top 5.

Alex Smith of Utah went #1 to San Francisco.  That left Aaron Rodgers out of Cal.  By all accounts he was a gifted passer, athletic and smart. He was also bigger than Grossman as well.  There was plenty of logic behind the idea to take him, allowing Smith to start fresh with his own quarterback.

Instead the Bears passed on him for Texas running back Cedric Benson.  Rodgers proceeded to fall to #24 where the Green Bay Packers finally took him.  He’s gone on to win two MVP awards, make the playoffs seven times and win a Super Bowl.  The last coming at the expense of the Chicago Bears in 2010 in the NFC championship.

Benson suffered through injuries and off-the-field problems and was gone after four seasons.

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