Chicago Bears: Another Possible QB Trade Target Emerging

The Chicago Bears are now officially one of the worst teams in the NFL. Eyes have already shifted towards 2017 with one question above all on their minds.

What will they do at quarterback? After eight seasons it looks like patience finally ran out on Jay Cutler. For the seventh-season in a row the veteran is missing time with an injury. The efficient form he showed in 2015 that produced  a career-best 92.3 quarterback rating seems long gone. He’s back to looking indecisive, taking too many hits and turning the ball over at the worst possible times. At age 33 his best days appear behind him.

GM Ryan Pace has yet to draft his own quarterback since taking over last season. Part of that was due to confidence in Cutler, but also a lack of viable options to replace him. With the Bears 0-3 and looking like the worst team in football, that could be set to change. Chicago hasn’t held a top five pick since 2005. Given recent projections there is a strong chance they might have a shot at a quality quarterback next April.

Then again the Bears haven’t held the #1 pick since 1947 or the #2 pick since 1951. Odds are they’ll find a way to win enough games to take themselves out of the running, but still not matter. This might be why more fans are open to the idea of Pace trading for his quarterback instead. The 2017 off-season looks like it could be flush with some intriguing options. Headlining the class is Jimmy Garoppolo, a third-year player in New England. He looked very effective in relief of the suspended Tom Brady through the first two weeks. Being an Illinois native and coming from Eastern Illinois college, the same as Pace, it almost seems like fate.

He may no longer be alone at the top though. Another name might be sliding onto the market.