Starting Up the Jimmy Garoppolo Rumor Watch: Bears Could Commit, Tougher Fits in AFC, Much More

Prying Jimmy Garoppolo away from the New England Patriots is reportedly going to be the Bears’ top priority this offseason, as they attempt to stabilize the quarterback position for both the short and long term.

Prior to Jason La Canfora’s report listing the front-runners in the Garoppolo derby on Thursday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune wrote about the Bears as potential suitors for the Rolling Meadows High School and Eastern Illinois product.

And whether we’re talking about the EIU roots Garoppolo shares with GM Ryan Pace or the Bears’ summer preseason practices with the Patriots (which allowed the Bears to get a different look at their potential next quarterback), the ties here are deep. The need at QB, of course, goes without saying.

So, then, you can bet we’ll be tracking Garoppolo rumors closely this offseason. Here is some of the latest …

[adinserter block=”1″]

  • Biggs writes the Patriots would “certainly demand considerably more than the late second-round pick” the team used to draft Garoppolo in the first place, and the Bears would need to be prepared to commit to Garoppolo with a long-term contract extension upon his arrival at Halas Hall. So, there are plenty of bridges to cross between now and the time a potential deal goes down. And even if there weren’t, a Bears-Patriots trade cannot be consummated until March 9. There’s time.
  • Which reminds me: This is probably a good time to re-share a list of the 2017 NFL offseason dates, deadlines and when to expect things from January.
  • Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times touches on several important topics with regard to a potential Garoppolo trade. Even when exploring it at a surface level, we’re talking about a deal that would put John Fox (9-23 in two years as Bears head coach) in win-now mode for a player with (essentially) two games of NFL experience. It’s a risk reminiscent of the Brock Osweiler experience, meaning that Pace and the rest of the front office must have some strong convictions if the team does pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade.
  • But for what it’s worth, Bears fans aren’t the only ones dreaming on the idea of a homecoming scenario. Garoppolo says his friends bug him about being the Bears’ next quarterback “all the time.”
  • In other Garoppolo-related news, FOX Sports senior writer Dieter Kurtenbach chimes in saying Garoppolo should demand a trade once the offseason begins. It would mean the modest Garoppolo would be stepping out, but Kurtenbach argues that is the kind of bold move that needs to happen with millions of dollars and a future career at stake for the Patriots’ No. 2 quarterback. It’s hard to imagine a second-stringer pounding the table for a trade, but admittedly it’s fun to think about.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • Let’s reiterate that the Bears won’t be the only team in on the Garoppolo sweepstakes. La Canfora also names the Browns, 49ers, and Jets as teams that could provide the primary competition for Garoppolo’s services. The return for trading Garoppolo within the AFC could be steep, and the price of an intra-division trade with the Jets could be large enough to keep both the Browns and Jets on the outskirts, respectively. From there, that would pit the Bears and 49ers against one another in a race to acquire a player who might be the most talented quarterback on the open market this offseason.
  • Former NFC North wide receivers Greg Jennings and Brandon Marshall offer their perspective on which quarterback they want throwing them the ball: Jay Cutler, Tony Romo or Jimmy Garoppolo? No surprise, they were reluctant to say, though Romo gets the nod from Jennings, thanks to his experience (as compared to Garoppolo), and the fact that things haven’t worked out with Cutler:
  • Future 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins, both of whom could be starting quarterback options San Francisco pursues in the offseason. Shanahan hasn’t officially been announced yet, in part because he currently has his hands full with preparing the Falcons offense to go up against the Patriots defense on Super Bowl Sunday.
  • [adinserter block=”3″]

  • All things considered, the Patriots could simply hold on to Garoppolo for the final year of his rookie contract, then hand him the franchise tag in each of the next two years as a Tom Brady insurance policy. Flash back to November when Belichick raved about the steady dependability Garoppolo brings to the table that is reminiscent of Brady.
  • “[W]hen we put Jimmy in there, it’s really seamless. Unless you were actually looking at the position. If you could just block out that position and say, which guy is in there at quarterback? I don’t know if you were know a lot of times.

    But for the quarterback to have that kind of consistency with the snap count, the cadence, the way that his voice or mannerisms or reminders are in the huddle. The little things like that is — the whole timing and everything on the line of scrimmage and running the plays in practice. That is a huge carryover to the games. Again, Tom’s consistency to do that, again not only for himself but for the rest of the team and the ability for the rest of team to have been able to count on that is very important.”

  • So, is Belichick giving an endorsement for his next championship-winning quarterback … or simply inflating the potential price of the organization’s next trade piece? Only time will tell. And between now and March 9, there will be ample time to discuss and dissect – 34 days to be exact.
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    Latest News

    Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

    Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The New York Mets (0-0) host the Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 1:40 PM ET on Friday.The Brewers will call on Freddy Peralta against the Mets and Jose Quintana.Brewers vs. Mets Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

    Suns vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The matchup begins at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The point total is set...

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22) are 6.5-point underdogs when they host the Denver Nuggets (51-22) in a battle between the top two teams in the Western at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The...

    Knicks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to continue a three-game win streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center as big, 10-point favorites. The game airs at 8:00 PM ET...

    Kings vs. Mavericks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Dallas Mavericks (43-29) will look to Luka Doncic (first in the league scoring 33.9 points per game) when they try to beat De'Aaron Fox (eighth in the NBA with 26.5 PPG) and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) on Friday, March...

    more bears news