As if you needed more proof that the Chicago Bears’ search for a long-term solution at quarterback did not stop with the free agent signing of Mike Glennon:
#Bears are expected to conduct a private workout with Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer. Likely late next week.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 23, 2017
Today is Notre Dame’s pro day, in which the Notre Dame quarterback will work out in front of various NFL scouts and executives, but the Bears will likely want a little more one-on-one time with Kizer – who Mike Mayock believes is the best quarterback prospect in this draft. (Teams, however, are split on the quarterbacks in the draft.)
Kizer was the Fighting Irish’s primary starter for the better part of two seasons. His two years at Notre Dame came with a mixed bag of results. Kizer looked stellar as a redshirt sophomore as he threw fore 2,880 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His junior season was more of a rollercoaster ride, though he still threw for 2,925 yards and 26 touchdown passes. But his inconsistency and mechanical issues reared their ugly heads in 2016 after watching a slew of talented offensive contributors leave Notre Dame for the NFL Draft.
While Kizer is a bit of an enigma, he still has the size of a prototypical quarterback (6-4, 233 pounds) and a strong arm. Greg Gabriel, who served 30 years in the NFL and spent nine years as the Bears’ scouting director, has long believed in Kizer’s ability. He doubled down on his assessment on Thursday.
DeShone Kizer won't be the first QB drafted, maybe not the 2nd, but in 3 years he will be the best QB to come out of this class. Book it!
— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) March 23, 2017
In 2014 I wrote that Derek Carr was hands down the best QB in that class. I feel the same away about Kizer this year
— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) March 23, 2017
How Kizer performs at Notre Dame’s pro day will be of interest, but how he does when he gets one-on-one time with the Bears might be more important.