NEWSLETTER
As Luis mentioned last night in discussing the possibility that the Bears could surprise and take a quarterback with the third overall pick, the team is apparently taking a very close look at Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes is clearly in the top tier of quarterbacks available in next week’s draft, and, depending on whom you ask, may even be the best of the bunch (especially to a team with some patience through the development process). Coming into the offseason, Mahomes was viewed by many as a second round type pick (and, indeed, he received a second round grade from the NFL’s college advisory committee), but that seems to have changed across the board. Now, you’ll see Mahomes mocked as high as the top ten, and virtually never outside the first round. The NFL is a QB-needy league, and, even in a down year at the position in the draft, Mahomes is among the best.
To that end, a team with a long-term QB need like the Bears should be taking a close look at Mahomes, as Brad Biggs reports they are. Mahomes was expected to make an official visit this past weekend (one of 12 around the league), after a private workout with the Bears’ decision-making crew: GM Ryan Pace, head coach John Fox, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone, and director of player personnel Josh Lucas.
Smoke screen? Trying to scare potential trade partners? Trying to hide preference for another quarterback? Or good old fashioned genuine interest?
Whether the Bears consider Mahomes at number three overall, or are simply doing their due diligence in the event a trade down opportunity arises, you can see why there is interest. Mahomes has a good build, great arm strength, is athletic, and comes with a great deal of upside. As Luis pointed out last night, “Of course, there are still holes in his game that need to be smoothed out as he develops. And comparisons to former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler won’t be easy to escape if Mahomes was the Bears’ pick. However, Mahomes’ skills to make things happen on the fly had Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury drawing comparisons to Packers legends Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.”
For much more on Mahomes’ background and potential, make sure to check out Biggs’ piece.
