Just because the Bears have Mitch Trubisky in the fold doesn’t mean the team won’t be active in the quarterback market.
ESPN Chicago’s Jeff Dickerson writes the chances of Mike Glennon returning for a second season with the Bears are “virtually nil” and the expected parting of ways between him and the Bears is going to open up a roster spot behind Trubisky. Even if Mark Sanchez returns in his role as Trubisky’s mentor/guiding light/personal quarterback whisperer, there is still a spot to be filled in the room that would leave the Bears in search for a serviceable backup quarterback.
And considering the importance of the position – Nick Foles has the Eagles in the Super Bowl for crying out loud – there’s no reason not to be.
Saints backup Chase Daniel is one of the more intriguing names on Dickerson’s list of possible backups. Daniel was a backup in Kansas City, where he crossed paths with Matt Nagy from 2013-15 when he was the team’s Quarterbacks Coach. He was also on the Saints from 2010-12, when Ryan Pace was New Orleans’ Director of Professional Scouting. While Daniel is short on starting experience, he is well versed in Nagy’s offense and could help guide Trubisky through that learning process.
This isn’t the first time Daniel has been connected to a Bears quarterback vacancy. In March 2017, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer named the Bears as a potential landing spot for Daniel after NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported he was a name to watch on the trade market. Daniel was eventually released in the middle of March, right after the team brought back Foles via free agency.
The Bears could opt to find Trubisky’s backup in the NFL Draft. Three Senior Bowl quarterbacks land on Dickerson’s list of draft weekend targets, including Washington State’s Luke Falk, who met with the team during Senior Bowl week. Senior Bowl MVP Kyle Lauletta (Richmand) and Mike White (Western Kentucky) are other late-draft options who could be on the Bears’ radar.
Not only can the Bears go in any number of directions to find a backup, there are different types who can fit the bill. The team could sign an experienced backup with starting experience, a young up-and-comer with NFL experience as a backup, or a developmental type. But it’s clear the Bears have a need at an important position, even if it’s not top of mind right now.
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