Market for Quarterbacks, Singletary’s Awkward Relationship with Bears, Marshall-Forte Nightmare Reunion, and Other Bullets

Before you get too deep in the Jimmy Garoppolo rumor mill, just know he isn’t the only quarterback who projects to be available on the market this offseason.

Chris Emma of CBS Chicago offers the Bears some advice on where else they can find their quarterback of the future. The draft is full of names – Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, and Patrick Mahomes are a fairly clear top four – but each player is full of questions that don’t have direct answers. Further, none of the quarterbacks offers a clear cut path to immediate success, which might mean a lot to John Fox – who is 9-23 in two seasons as head coach.

Between his local ties to Rolling Meadows High School and Eastern Illinois University plus his experience as a Tom Brady understudy, Garoppolo is a popular quarterback option. Just not the only one.

[adinserter block=”1″]

  • Whoever joins the Bears as their next quarterback will have a quality running back to hand the ball off to in 2017 – ideally, on a higher per-game basis. Jordan Howard was an obvious choice for team MVP after a Pro Bowl season in which he finished second behind Ezekiel Elliott in rushing yards. Teaming Howard with a quarterback who is a threat to make big plays in the passing game could truly open up Dowell Loggains’ offensive options.
  • Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary describes his relationship with the Bears as awkward, but still wishes them well. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that while Singletary wants to become a head coach again (remember, he interviewed for the job that eventually went to Marc Trestman in 2013) but is currently employed by the Los Angeles Rams. As for his thoughts on the Bears? “I think they have some good players,” he told Finley. “I think it’s just a matter of, everything comes down to a mindset and identity. Who are we?” After back-to-back seasons with double-digit losses and major needs across the board, the Bears’ lack of (positive) identity right now is obvious.
  • Eric Berry wants no part of the franchise tag in 2017. The standout Chiefs safety told the Kansas City Star he is willing to sit out the 2017 season if he is slapped with the franchise tag again. Berry said he wants to return to Kansas City, but will spend 2017 hanging out with his family if the team tags him for a second straight offseason.
  • The Brandon Marshall-Matt Forte reunion wasn’t supposed to end with the New York Jets suffering through a 5-11 season. But that’s exactly what happened as Forte saw decreases in yards per carry and attempts per game in 2016, which also marked the second straight season in which he ran for fewer than 1,000-yards. Forte had just two 100-yard games in 2016, needing 30 carries to get there each time. Marshall struggled mightily, posting two 100-yard games in the season’s first five contests – but averaged four catches and 42 receiving yards in the final 10 games of the year. The Marshall/Forte Jets dream was a nightmare.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • An observant Wade Phillips notes the Los Angeles Rams have a very unique coaching staff:
  • Stopping Julio Jones is among the tallest tasks in football. Perhaps there is a formula a team can cook up to help contain the game-changing wide receiver? Two NFC rivals teamed up as Cowboys receiver Brice Butler and Eagles cornerback Rodney Jones simulate the Super Bowl’s top matchup between Jones and Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler.
  • [adinserter block=”3″]

  • Matt Ryan struggled in his first year under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, but finds himself one win away from a Super Bowl championship a year later. The Falcons have done their fair share of work to put the right pieces around Ryan in the second year of head coach Dan Quinn’s regime. After watching Ryan transform into a NFL MVP candidate with the Falcons pushing all the right buttons, are there any teams in similar situations to help their own signal callers? Ryan said he thinks highly of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. But can the Lions re-create what Atlanta did so well to help Stafford reach the next level? If so, it represents another challenge the Bears will take on during their rebuild.
  • Only 23 of 53 players on the Patriots were on the team that won the Super Bowl two years ago. Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly writes how New England has thrived despite significant roster turnover to reach another Super Bowl. The buy-in from new players and rookies alike is on another level. The Patriots mix the right group of players who are established vets, title-hungry players (both young and old) and a slew of role players all pulling from the same side of the rope. Having the best coach-quarterback combination in Bill Belichick and Tom Brady doesn’t hurt, either.
  • 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

    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...

    The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

    Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

    2024 NFL Mock Draft: How High Can J.J. McCarthy’s Stock Rise?

    Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...

    NFL Rules Shakeup, Tomlin on Fields, Trubisky’s Linsanity Run, and Other Bears Bullets

    The Bachelor's season-finale had a couple of jaw-dropping moments. Once the group chat catches up, it is going to be lit. What better way to start Bears Bullets than with breakfast anecdotes? I think I'm going to enjoy D'Andre Swift's...

    Around the NFL: New Kickoff Rules Explained, NFL Trade Deadline Extended, More

    NFL owners ratified a sweeping overhaul of the kickoff play on Tuesday, embracing a format inspired by the XFL following three days of deliberations at the league’s yearly gathering. Essentially, the new format relocates the bulk of both kicking and return teams...

    Latest News

    Rangers vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Texas Rangers (0-0) and the Chicago Cubs (0-0) square off on Thursday at Globe Life Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will call on Nathan Eovaldi against the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers vs....

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – March 28, 2024

    The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks take the court for one of two exciting matchups on the NBA slate today.Looking for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so take...

    UNC vs Alabama Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

    We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...

    Who Is In The Sweet 16? Updated Bracket, Odds to Win, and More

    It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...

    Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

    The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

    2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

    Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 28

    There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Thursday postseason college basketball schedule, the Clemson Tigers versus the Arizona Wildcats. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best Pac-12...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays open their season as -132 favorites in a home matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MLB Network.Zach Eflin will get the ball for Tampa Bay while Toronto will...

    Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Houston Astros look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-155) in a season-opening matchup with the New York Yankees. First pitch is on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on YES, live from Minute Maid Park.Houston's...

    more bears news