Rumor Mill: Pats Looking at Back-Up QBs, Bears Looking at Gilmore and Wagner, Plans for Hoyer, More

Luis C. Medina

Mar 03, 2017

A host of rumor bits to guide you toward the weekend …

The will-they-won’t-they Patriots-Jimmy Garoppolo story takes another twist today, after days of conflicting reports about the team’s willingness (or lack thereof) to deal their current back-up quarterback. The Patriots are reportedly already exploring external back-up quarterback options in free agency, which would make sense only if there is a chance they will be without Garoppolo heading into 2017. Note, this does not mean the Patriots definitely will trade Garoppolo, but I think we can safely put any talk of them definitely not considering trade offers to bed.

… that said, the Boston Herald report pegs the asking price at a first and second round pick, and maybe more. Depending on where that first round pick is (number three overall, for example, seems too high), the Patriots might be able to get it. (Oh, and, of course, depending on Garoppolo’s willingness to sign an extension with that team.)

[adinserter block=”1″]

Elsewhere on the quarterback front, today’s big rumor had free agent Mike Glennon as the Bears’ current top target, which left us wondering what was so bad about Brian Hoyer as a cheaper bridge quarterback who already knows the coaches and the system? Well, the door is not closed:

Brian Hoyer is still in play for the #Bears, but I don't sense a lot of optimism right now. Seems like he's more like Plan C or D right now.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 3, 2017

In a thin QB market, it seems like Hoyer is going to be a highly sought-after back-up, at a minimum, and may find a few players looking at him as a bridge starter. A free agent, Hoyer has expressed an interest in staying with the Bears, but who knows if he’ll wait long enough for the team to get its own Plan A/B ducks in a row first.

Brad Biggs reports that the Bears, in addition to pursuing Glennon, are “expected to make a strong bid for Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore.” With the Bears’ secondary play last year among the league’s worst, the fit is obvious, and Gilmore is good:

Is Stephon Gilmore the answer for #Bears at cornerback? @djdurkin took a look at him, other options at CB earlier:https://t.co/W8HFb9QJ0l pic.twitter.com/0f7xttcGC6
— The Athletic Chicago (@TheAthleticCHI) March 3, 2017

[adinserter block=”2″]

The only thing you might point out is that the Bears’ needs are slightly more urgent at safety, and the draft is expected to be very deep in the secondary. Thus, spending big on Gilmore is not the only route for the Bears to upgrade. But, then, Gilmore is going to sign somewhere, and the Bears make as much sense as any team out there.

Biggs adds that the Bears may also pursue Ravens right tackle Rickey Wagner. Incumbent right tackle Bobby Massie does not have any guaranteed money left on his contract, and graded out poorly in 2016. The Bears’ interior is quite strong, so adding to the outside could only improve one of the few offensive bright spots for the team. Given that the Bears may sport a young quarterback and lean heavily on the running game next year, impeccable line play is going to be a must.

I’ll make no secret that I find Tyrod Taylor to be a very interesting hypothetical fit for the Bears at quarterback, but until he’s actually a free agent, I don’t want to get too invested in the possibility. However … he really might become a free agent, as the Bills are reportedly leaning toward declining his option next week, which would otherwise lock in nearly $30 million in guarantees.

If Taylor reaches free agency – which would shake up the market quite a bit – the teams with interest, according to the Buffalo News, are the Browns, 49ers, and Jets. In other words, three of the arguably four most QB-needy clubs, with the Bears being the only team not mentioned.

[adinserter block=”3″]

One other possible QB target out there for teams is Bengals back-up A.J. McCarron, though, with two years of team control left (not just one, like Jimmy Garoppolo), the Bengals are undoubtedly feeling less urgency to cash in on an asset before it has no value. And they’re making sure other teams know that they value McCarron “quite a bit.”

The Titans, who could be a heavy Alshon Jeffery suitor, are reported working with the Saints on a trade that would land them 23-year-old wideout Brandin Cooks.

written by

Luis C. Medina

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

Chicago Bears

REPORT: Bears Head Coach Search is a “Two-Horse Race”

Because the Chicago Bears have reportedly sent out 20 interview requests, it hasn't felt as if the team is any closer to finding a new head coach than it was when it began on this adventure 10 days ago. Perhaps...

Luis C. Medina

Jan 16, 2025

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 Exit Interviews: Jonathan Owens

The nightmare that was the 2024 Chicago Bears season is over. Before the transactional period starts and the roster changes begin, we will recap the seasons of most of the 53-man roster. Next up: We're looking at the 2024 season...

Patrick K. Flowers

Jan 16, 2025

Chicago Bears

Top Edge Prospect James Pearce Jr. Declares For 2025 NFL Draft

James Pearce Jr., one of the top-rated NFL Draft-eligible defensive line prospects in this class, announced his entry into the 2025 NFL Draft in style. Check out this video he posted on Twitter/X: VFL🧡 pic.twitter.com/052zn6diUn— JCP (@JamesPearceJr10) January 16, 2025...

Luis C. Medina

Jan 16, 2025

Brian flores vikings dc bears coach candidate

Chicago Bears

Brian Flores is Interviewing With the Bears on Saturday and I Am Ready to Discuss Some Red Flags

For the second time in three years, Brian Flores is going to interview with the Chicago Bears regarding the team's vacant head coach position. As NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports, Flores figures to be busy this weekend as he...

Luis C. Medina

Jan 16, 2025

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 Exit Interviews: Darnell Wright

Matt Rooney

Jan 16, 2025

Chicago Bears

This Mock Draft Roundup Includes an Almost Unfathomable Selection

The order isn't set just yet, but we know where the Chicago Bears will be picking in the first round when the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around in April. Chicago's football team is set to pick 10th overall. It could...

Luis C. Medina

Jan 16, 2025

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 Exit Interviews: Cole Kmet

Patrick K. Flowers

Jan 16, 2025

ben johnson lions offensive coordinator potential bears coach target NFL Notes

Chicago Bears

Maybe Ben Johnson to the Raiders Isn’t a Sure Thing After All

This is as close as you'll get to an NFL insider throwing cold water on the hot rumor of Ben Johnson becoming the next Las Vegas Raiders head coach. Twitter/X user @DaBearCave1920 shares this clip from ESPN's Adam Schefter, which...

Luis C. Medina

Jan 16, 2025

Bears simpsons Caleb Williams chalkboard

Chicago Bears

Cunningham and the Titans, Frazier and the Cowboys, New Analytics Director Needed, and Other Bears Bullets

Day 11 of the Chicago Bears' offseason. CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reports that the Bears don't have an interview scheduled with a head coach candidate for the first time in a week. Maybe that'll allow us time for...

Luis C. Medina

Jan 16, 2025

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2025 Head Coach Search Interview Tracker

The Chicago Bears spent Monday lining up interview candidates for their vacant head coach position at a dizzying rate — so much so that it made sense to put together a one-stop shop for all the coaches the Bears have put...

Luis C. Medina

Jan 07, 2025

Picks

Akron vs. Ohio Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, January 17, 2025

Two streaking teams square off when the Akron Zips (11-5, 4-0 MAC) host the Ohio Bobcats (10-6, 4-0 MAC) on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM ET. The Zips are 2.5-point favorites and put their four-game win streak on...

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

Villanova vs. Providence Prediction: Spread, Total Points, Moneyline Picks – Friday, January 17, 2025

The Villanova Wildcats (11-7, 4-3 Big East) are 8-point favorites as they try to continue an eight-game home winning streak when they take on the Providence Friars (9-9, 3-4 Big East) on Friday, January 17, 2025 at Wells Fargo Center....

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

Georgetown vs. DePaul Prediction: Spread, Total Points, Moneyline Picks – Friday, January 17, 2025

Two sliding teams square off when the Georgetown Hoyas (12-5, 3-3 Big East) host the DePaul Blue Demons (9-9, 0-7 Big East) on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET. The Blue Demons are 9-point underdogs as they try...

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

Robert Morris vs. Green Bay Prediction: Spread, Total Points, Moneyline Picks – Friday, January 17, 2025

The Green Bay Phoenix (2-16, 0-7 Horizon League) are underdogs (by 4 points) to stop a five-game home losing streak when they host the Robert Morris Colonials (11-7, 3-4 Horizon League) on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET....

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

Fresno State vs. Air Force Prediction: Spread, Total Points, Moneyline Picks – Friday, January 17, 2025

The Fresno State Bulldogs (4-13, 0-6 MWC) will attempt to halt a six-game losing streak when they host the Air Force Falcons (3-14, 0-6 MWC) at 10:00 PM ET on Friday, January 17, 2025 as 3-point favorites. The Falcons have...

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

Milwaukee vs. Youngstown State Prediction: Spread, Total Points, Moneyline Picks – Friday, January 17, 2025

The Milwaukee Panthers (12-6, 5-2 Horizon League) are 6-point favorites as they look to build on a nine-game home win streak when they take on the Youngstown State Penguins (11-7, 6-2 Horizon League) on Friday, January 17, 2025 at UW-Milwaukee...

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

VCU vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, January 17, 2025

The Saint Joseph's (PA) Hawks (11-6, 2-2 A-10) are slight underdogs (by 2 points) to extend a four-game home win streak when they host the VCU Rams (13-4, 3-1 A-10) on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET. The...

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

New Mexico vs. Boise State Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, January 17, 2025

The New Mexico Lobos (14-4, 6-1 MWC) are favored (by 3.5 points) to continue a four-game home win streak when they host the Boise State Broncos (13-5, 5-2 MWC) on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM ET. The matchup's...

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

Ohio State vs. Indiana Prediction: Picks and Betting Odds – Friday, January 17, 2025

The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-7, 2-4 Big Ten) are at home in Big Ten action against the Indiana Hoosiers (13-5, 4-3 Big Ten) on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET. The Buckeyes are favored by 7 points in...

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Picks

UCLA vs. Iowa Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, January 17, 2025

The Iowa Hawkeyes (12-5, 3-3 Big Ten) visit the UCLA Bruins (11-6, 2-4 Big Ten) after losing four straight road games. The Bruins are favored by 7 points in the matchup, which begins at 9:00 PM ET on Friday, January...

Data Skrive

Jan 16, 2025

Rumor Mill: Pats Looking at Back-Up QBs, Bears Looking at Gilmore and Wagner, Plans for Hoyer, More

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News