Happy Senior Bowl Week! Meet the Quarterbacks We’ll Be Obsessing About Until the NFL Draft

Over the years, the Senior Bowl has churned out plenty of high-caliber draft-eligible prospects, who’ve used the game as a platform to springboard their stock ahead of the draft.

And not only do I expect this year to be no different, there’s also a feeling that the quarterback prospects in Mobile, Alabama, are going to be worth some extra attention (Mitch Trubisky may be positioned to enter 2020 as the Bears’ starting QB, but he’s also entering the final year of his rookie deal, with no guarantee of a picked-up fifth-year option). Let’s just say our eyes our open.

And to that end, six quarterbacks have accepted invites to the Senior Bowl, where they’ll be participating in drills and practices ahead of Saturday’s game. Let’s take a moment to get to know them, even at a cursory level.

Justin Herbert, Oregon

Herbert would have been the No. 1 quarterback prospect off the board had he entered the 2019 NFL Draft, but he decided to return to school. The decision likely cost him a few million bucks, as he’s now projected to be the third quarterback taken in the draft after Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. At least Herbert will likely be chosen within the top half of the first round, which means he will still secure a healthy chunk of change.

As a prospect, Herbert has ideal size (6-6, 237 pounds), athleticism that allows his mobility to be used as a strength, and a strong arm. Meanwhile, a lack of accuracy has kept Herbert on the tier below Burrow and Tagovailoa. The inconsistency in his throws is going to drive some coach mad until it is fixed. Herbert’s deep ball is pretty when he throws it, but the short and medium game need work. Geez, that sounds familiar.

But between the Bears not having a first-round pick in the upcoming draft and minimal assets that could be used to move up to take him, I can’t imagine much of a buzz developing around Herbert and Chicago.

Jordan Love, Utah State

Love has first-round measurables (6-4, 225), athleticism, and arm-talent. But everything else about him is so raw, that it’s tough to actually envision a first-round departure. But perhaps that makes him an ideal prospect for the Bears. In fact, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report recently pegged Love as the type of prospect the Bears could target with one of their second-round selections. Love could be equal parts developmental project and security blanket should the plug need to be pulled on the Trubisky experience.

Love is a classic boom-or-bust prospect. Thanks to his robust athleticism and throwing ability, he’s believed to have a ridiculously high ceiling. But he won’t come close to reaching until he works out some mechanical kinks and improves his decision making. Should the Bears draft Love, the newly developed cache of quarterback whisperers on the coaching staff could go a long way toward helping develop him while also winning games. Hence, Love’s name is one we’ll continue to watch in terms of any Bears connections moving forward.

Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma

Back in October, Hurts was dubbed the “perfect” quarterback for the 2020 Bears. He was in the midst of a Heisman-worthy campaign, having picked up Lincoln Riley’s offense without skipping a beat in a season in which he would ultimately lead the Sooners to the college football playoffs. Once viewed as the anti-Trubisky because of his intangibles and résumé of success at the college level, Hurts is a projected middle-round pick and a possible target for the Bears should they choose to draft a quarterback to round out the room behind Trubisky.

Hurts is a coaches dream. He doesn’t turn the ball over at an alarming rate, has polished decision-making for a college player, possesses desirable mobility, and has that “leader of men” quality pro teams seek. But because his arm talent is limited and doesn’t threaten defenses vertically, Hurts is viewed as a prospect who needs to be put into the sort of system that values the running game and quick horizontal passing. I’ll be curious to see how Hurts helps himself while surrounded by fellow high-quality prospects this week. After all, he looked great playing with skill-position studs at Alabama and Oklahoma.

Anthony Gordon, Washington State

Given Gardner Minshew II’s rookie-season success and his own production in Mike Leach’s QB-friendly system at Washington State, Anthony Gordon has some real prospect buzz despite his relative inexperience (he was a one-year starter for the Cougars, but that one year was terrific).

He displayed quickness in his release and made plenty of down-field throws, as he racked up big yardage and touchdown totals. But he also makes mind-numbing throws into double coverage, which leads to interceptions that would cause you to throw your remote across the room.

Even still … Gordon flashed enough to be considered as a developmental project for a team that values a player of his talent and upside. A team like the Bears could do worse than using a later-round pick on Gordon.

Shea Patterson, Michigan

Patterson has so much to gain from a strong week at the Senior Bowl. He was a five-star recruit who never lived up to his potential. The tools are there, but never amounted to anything. One could make a case that Patterson has regressed each season on a college campus. And because that case can be made, I wonder if I am wasting time by writing about him. But because he received an invite to the Senior Bowl, I suppose I am left to look forward to seeing what Patterson can do with a last chance.

Steven Montez, Colorado

Too much of Montez profile reminds me of Mike Glennon, which isn’t great. Montez, listed at 6-5 and 230 pounds, was a three-year starter for the Buffaloes and played with talented playmakers such as current Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay, as well as projected first-round receiver Laviska Shenault. But that he never took advantage of those surroundings is quite concerning. To be bonest, Montez (and Patterson, for that matter) shouldn’t be on anyone’s radar on draft weekend unless something unforeseen happens this week at the Senior Bowl.

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

Chase Young to Sign 1-year Deal with Saints as Another DE Goes Off the Board

If you were looking for the Chicago Bears to reunite Montez Sweat and Chase Young, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Young, a free-agent pass rusher who would've made sense as a Bears offseason target, is reportedly...

The Bears Turned Down a Better Trade Offer to “Do Right” By Justin Fields

Even with the Justin Fields situation resolved by way of Saturday’s trade between the Bears and Steelers, I still found myself coming back to this Ryan Poles quote from Combine Week. The bold emphasis is mine (and you’ll see why...

More D-Line Help: Bears Add Byron Cowart to Defensive Mix

More defensive line help is on the way for the Chicago Bears. On Saturday, the Bears added to their mix of defensive linemen by signing defensive end Jake Martin. And because the job of building out a 90-player offseason roster...

Poles Plan, Sorting Through Fields Mess, What are the Steelers doing? And Other Bears Bullets

The first Monday of the post-Justin Fields era is here and Bears fans are still coming to grips with it. I get it. Lost in the weekend haze was the Bears burying a trade of their former starting quarterback in...

Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft 3.0

In the wake of the Justin Fields trade and week one of free agency, things are starting to take shape, so let’s fire up the PFF Draft Simulator and try to sort out the rest of the 2024 roster with...

Ryan Pace, Darnell Mooney, and Kirk Cousins are Central Figures in NFL Tampering Investigation

In news that has nothing to do with the Chicago Bears trading Justin Fields, a pair of former Bears (and someone the Bears are quite familiar with) find themselves in the middle of an NFL tampering investigation. Ryan Pace, Darnell...

Justin Fields Trade Fallout (And Other Bears Bullets)

Usually, I reserve Sunday's Bears Bullets to be a dumping ground for things I didn't get to in a given week. But today is different (and for obvious reasons). Here is what you missed in case you spent all day...

Here’s What Ryan Poles Had to Say About the Justin Fields Trade

The Justin Fields trade is still oh, so very fresh. Here is what Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles had to say about the trade in a statement issued by the team: We have engaged in multiple trade conversations in...

It’s Over: Justin Fields Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers

So long, old friend. May the Force be with you. The Justin Fields trade is happening. So says NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, who is reporting it and sharing the news on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1769131145688461483 UPDATE (7:45 PM CT): It's officially...

Justin Fields Says Goodbye and Thank You

That Justin Fields trade sure is something. ICYMI: The Bears and Steelers have reportedly agreed on a deal to send Fields from Chicago to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. And while it could become a fourth-rounder based...

Latest News

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are underdogs (+7) as they try to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) at 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The game airs on...

Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks are -198 favorites over the Buffalo Sabres (+164) playing on home ice on Tuesday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-198)Underdog: Sabres (+164)Total: 6Best Canucks vs. Sabres Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to...

OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

more bears news