Even though the Texans are still ignoring inquiries regarding Deshaun Watson’s availability, we have a good idea of the most interested/likely parties.
While interviewing ESPN insider Louis Riddick, Rich Eisen sized up the field, offering up the Panthers (a team with a new owner who wants to make a big splash as early as possible), plus the Jets and Dolphins (an AFC East grudge match between two rebuilding teams to keep a potential game-changer out of the division could be bubbling underneath the surface). Not only do each of these teams make plenty of sense, but the Panthers, Jets, and Dolphins likely also have the most to offer from the position of tradable assets.
Unprompted, however, Riddick offered up a dark-horse in the race, and you already know where this is going:
“I keep saying this, and I know the people who work there — and some of them are good friends of mine— are probably sitting there going ‘Louis, why are you doing this to us?’ But they know it too, in Chicago. They are in a tough, tough spot. OK? f they don’t swing, and I mean Barry Bonds knock-it-out-of-the-park swing and hit at quarterback, they are in a tough spot.”
Riddick continues to beat the drum for the Bears as a sleeper team in the Deshaun Watson Sweepstakes.
And why not? Riddick completely dismisses the idea of going back to Mitchell Trubisky and shrugs off turning things over to Nick Foles. He also rules out the chances of signing someone like Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Alex Smith. Trading for Marcus Mariota isn’t getting it done in Riddick’s eyes, either. The Bears are in need of a splash.
Because if they don’t make it happen here and can’t find a way to land Russell Wilson, then Chicago, owners of the 20th overall pick, will find themselves looking to mortgage future selections to move to the top of the draft board. And that’s still far from perfect.
GM Ryan Pace and Head Coach Matt Nagy can’t necessarily afford to roll the dice on an athletic project such as Trey Lance. Or even take a chance on Mac Jones’ 2020 breakout at Alabama. Instead, they’d have to trade up to a place to take someone like Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, who are duking out to be this class’ QB2. And in order to that, the Bears probably have to trade up ahead of the Patriots, 49ers, Broncos, Panthers, and Eagles. In short, that’s going to cost a pretty penny.
And if you’re going to be swinging for the fences, this isn’t the time for half-measures. See your pitch and hit it to the moon like Barry Bonds would. Otherwise, what are you even doing?
For more from Eisen and Riddick, check out the video below: