Obsessive QB Watch: Bears Trade Options, Bridgewater’s Future, Jameis Gets LASIK, More

Feb 18, 2020

A contract isn’t done just yet, but Drew Brees’ return for the 2020 season will presumably take place in New Orleans. That decision figures to have a domino effect throughout the league. With that in mind, let’s follow that trail as we approach an offseason lining up for some movement at the most important position in the game.

The trade market will take off at some point this offseason, with Cam Newton and Andy Dalton taking center stage. NFL Network Ian Rapoport offers up some insight on what could happen with these veteran starters who could be playing elsewhere in 2020:

From @NFLTotalAccess: A quick look at what's next for two QBs whose names could surface in trade talks — Cam Newton and Andy Dalton. pic.twitter.com/Z0mxQsFMPt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 18, 2020

Rapoport foresees a scenario where the New England Patriots are a trade partner for the Cincinnati Bengals in the hunt to acquire Dalton. As we’ve discussed, the Bengals reportedly are willing to work with Dalton on a possible trade “when the time is right.” That timetable has yet to be announced, and there is a possibility it won’t get ironed out until after the smoke clears on the free agent front. Dalton could be an ideal fit for the Patriots if Tom Brady leaves for greener pastures (and a whopping paycheck).

Marc Sessler (NFL.com) has nine unique scenarios on his wish list for quarterbacks this offseason, including one in which the Bears trade for Cam Newton. Sessler believes the Bears must offer corrective action after watching Mitch Trubisky sputter in 2019 while Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes took their games to another level. Sessler envisions a summertime camp battle between Newton and Trubisky, one which treats Trubisky as “a low-tier starter begging for camp competition.” That’s harsh.

Adam Jahns of The Athletic goes into the way-back machine to uncover what happened with the quarterbacks who have been traded over the years as an avenue to explore the Bears’ possible trade options:

In the past 10 years, nearly 50 quarterbacks have been traded.

Some teams found veterans who became entrenched for years.

Others gave up on their high-round pick for other options.

What does this mean for the #Bears? Let’s rank their trade options. https://t.co/Yw34yzW0T4

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) February 17, 2020

Dalton, Newton, Derek Carr, Nick Foles, and Alex Smith are all viable trade options. None are perfect at this stage of their careers, but each brings something to the table that could constitute an upgrade at the position. Maybe the MVP upside of Newton is enticing. Perhaps the operational knowledge of how to run Matt Nagy/Bill Lazor’s scheme that Smith, Foles, and Dalton provide can be intriguing. Or it is possible the high-floor and contract certainty that comes with Carr is preferred. It’s not as if the Bears don’t have options. It’s just that they are clearly limited.

For what it’s worth, Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner believes Trubisky should get more time to hone his craft (h/t Bears Wire):

To be fair to Warner, his opinion is rooted in his own experience. And I must say I respect that perspective. Warner explains how he needed playing time elsewhere (the Arena League, NFL Europe) to grow into the quarterback he would ultimately become. Warner was a one-year starter at Northern Iowa, but bounced around until he landed in the perfect scenario. Things took off from there, leaving us with the cautionary tale of how a player can take his game to another level if they are given enough time and reps early in their career.

Over at PFF, Solomon Wilcots lays out paths for the top quarterbacks in this draft class to become successful. Of the quarterbacks who could land on the Bears’ radar on draft weekend, Wilcots sees Utah State’s Jordan Love as a project. He goes on to put him in a category of players who must still develop and will likely get off to a slow start. There’s arm talent and athleticism there for Love, it’s just that there are notable kinks to work out in his game. And while the Patrick Mahomes comp has been dropped by some, the comparison to Jimmy Garoppolo here feels more apt. Garoppolo was a second-round pick who needed time to develop behind Tom Brady before ultimately growing into a starting quarterback. Because of Love’s issues, he feels more like a Garoppolo than a Mahomes. Though maybe the upcoming scouting combine will change someone’s opinion.

The runway is now clear for Teddy Bridgewater to spread his wings, take off, and snag a starting quarterback gig of his own. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets multiple teams expect the 2015 Pro Bowler to have a “strong” market when free agency opens up. Bridgewater could appeal to teams in search of a bridge quarterback who can take the reins while a rookie who is selected in an upcoming draft develops behind him. He could also take over as a possible long-term starting solution for a team that believes it is a quarterback away from doing something special.

Bridgewater has the feel of a high-floor quarterback who plays smart and safe football, but can also make throws downfield when asked. How consistently he would be able to do that without the likes of Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas as playmakers or Sean Payton as a head coach remains to be seen. However, Bridgewater’s first-round pedigree and prior success with the Vikings suggests he is a capable quarterback.

As for the cost of doing business, it varies (to say the least). Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes that Fowler made appearances on ESPN’s platform saying he could make $30 million per year on his next deal. That would be a major commitment for a team to make on a quarterback who hasn’t been a team’s primary starter since 2015. Spotrac’s “market value” estimates Bridgewater getting a 3-year deal with an average annual salary of $20 million. PFF’s contract projection via OverTheCap.com is far more conservative, with an estimated two-year deal worth $9 million that includes $10 million in guarantees. It just takes one team to drive that market through the roof, though.

Jameis Winston is another quarterback whose market could go boom or bust. And perhaps in an attempt to envision a brighter future, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports Winston underwent LASIK eye surgery to repair his nearsightedness. It’s one of those “can’t hurt, could help” scenarios that could be good for a guy who threw 30 interceptions (along with 30 touchdowns) last season).

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

What About Byron Murphy II as a Bears Target With the No. 9 Pick?

I'm starting to wonder if maybe University of Texas star Byron Murphy II fits the bill as a Chicago Bears draft target.. In his latest at NBC Sports Chicago, Bears insider Josh Schrock wonders if Chicago's football team could be...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

One Pundit Thinks Trading Up to Draft Joe Alt Makes Sense For the Bears

The idea of the Chicago Bears drafting a butt-kicking offensive tackle is something that continues to pop up. Perhaps Notre Dame's Joe Alt is something on the team's radar. NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah opines Alt could be someone...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks To Surround Caleb Williams

The winds of change are howling through Halas Hall. After years (decades) of searching, the Chicago Bears appear set to finally land their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the top overall pick. This signals a new era for the Bears, but the...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

Draft Day is Coming, NFC North QB Prospect Watch, Crews, Warren, and Other Bears Bullets

The Chicago Cubs finished a winning road trip with a series win against the defending NL champs. Taylor Swift has a new album that drops at 11 p.m. CT. And the Chicago Bears will usher in a new quarterback era...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How Will Quarterback Chaos Unfold In First Round?

Only one week remains until the biggest event of the NFL offseason — the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is going first overall unless something totally unexpected happens. But outside of that, there are still so many questions left to...

Matt Rooney

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears Mock Draft Trade Proposals Seem to Target One Particular Position

I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

Sounds Like the Bears Will Consider Taking Brock Bowers If They Stay at No. 9

For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Hire Ted Crews as Special Advisor to President Kevin Warren

The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

I Don’t Hate Trading Up, Cairo Reaches Out, Jed Chimes In, and Other Bears Bullets

Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Johnny newton Illinois Illini bears draft target

Chicago Bears

The Bears Had Eyes on Illini DT Johnny Newton Today

Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 16, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Phillies vs. White Sox: Live Stream or on TV

On Friday, Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) open a series versus Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-15) at Citizens Bank Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

Braves vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Atlanta Braves (12-5), with Chris Sale on the hill, host the Texas Rangers (11-9) who will counter with Nathan Eovaldi, at 7:20 PM ET on Friday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Atlanta play...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Guardians vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

The Cleveland Guardians (13-6), with Triston McKenzie on the mound, host the Oakland Athletics (8-11) who will start Joseph Boyle, at 7:10 PM ET on Friday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Astros vs. Nationals: Live Stream or on TV

On Friday at 6:45 PM ET, Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros (6-14) play C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (8-10) at Nationals Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Houston play Washington.When...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

Yankees vs. Rays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The New York Yankees (13-6), with Clarke Schmidt on the hill, host the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) who will start Tyler Alexander, at 7:05 PM ET on Friday.The article below will give you everything you need to know to watch...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

NBA Picks

Heat vs. Bulls Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Friday, April 19, 2024

The Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls meet to start the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Heat are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which will be broadcast on ESPN at 7:00 PM ET. The matchup has...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Boston Red Sox Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

On Friday, April 19 at 6:40 PM ET, a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the visiting Boston Red Sox will begin.Pirates vs. Red Sox Series Info Red Sox @ Pirates Time: Friday, April 19 at 6:40 PM ET...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

A three-game series between the New York Yankees and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays will start on Friday, April 19 at 7:05 PM ET.Yankees vs. Rays Series Info Rays @ Yankees Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:05 PM ET Yankees...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Angels Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The Cincinnati Reds will be hosting the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 6:40 PM ET on Friday, April 19.Reds vs. Angels Series Info Angels @ Reds Time: Friday, April 19 at...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago White Sox Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

A three-game series featuring the Philadelphia Phillies and the visiting Chicago White Sox will begin on Friday, April 19 at 6:40 PM ET.Phillies vs. White Sox Series Info White Sox @ Phillies Time: Friday, April 19 at 6:40 PM ET...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Obsessive QB Watch: Bears Trade Options, Bridgewater’s Future, Jameis Gets LASIK, More

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular