Where Did Chicago Bears Get the Idea of Coveting Backup QBs?
By Erik Lambert
Sometimes the Chicago Bears can be a real puzzling franchise. At no time is this more the case than their decisions regarding the QB position.
Just look at their incredible stubbornness regarding Mike Glennon. Here’s a man who had spent three years as a backup in Tampa Bay, first to Josh McCown and then to Jameis Winston. When he did start games he went 5-13 and completed less than 60% of his passes. In hindsight what exactly did this team see in him that screamed, “He’s the guy we got to have”?
GM Ryan Pace touted his experienced, leadership and cool head under pressure. Watching Glennon get happy feet under the slightest threat from the pass rush and his abysmal protection of the ball would see to counter that argument. People say he played well against the Falcons. He threw for 213 yards and a touchdown. Modest numbers to start with but understand 160 of those yards came in the 4th quarter when Atlanta started playing softer coverage.
Then in Tampa Bay he turned it over three times including two ugly, ugly interceptions. One of which was returned for a touchdown. As yet another backup-to-starter experiment flames out for the Bears, it’s fair to wonder what their fascination is with this method.
The evidence is minimal to show it works
Seriously there isn’t much rhyme or reason for it. Taking the castoffs from another team and believing you can make it better despite decades of proof that’s not true. Steve Walsh? Erik Kramer? Jim Miller? Sure those guys has one or two nice moments but all ended up proving flops. Historically the Bears have fared far better when they’ve drafted or traded for their solutions the position.
Jay Cutler, Jim McMahon, Billy Wade, Sid Luckman and Rex Grossman (love him or hate him) were all acquired in those fashions. Truth be told Glennon never really had a chance. Aside from just not being very good he inherited a situation that was way bigger than his time in Tampa Bay could’ve prepared him for and now it’s eating him alive. Rather than recognize their mistake though, in true Bears fashion they’re doubling down in hopes it will get better.
It never has before, so why should it now?