NEWSLETTER
For the record, I’m down with obsessing over Russell Wilson until I’m a Bears shade of blue in the face.
HOWEVER, GM Ryan Pace doesn’t have that luxury.
Because while someone like Wilson is (rightfully) at the top of Chicago’s wish list, there is a reality in which that dream scenario doesn’t play out. In other words, the Bears need to keep their options open. After all, fixating on one guy – when others were available – is one of the main reasons we’re in this mess in the first place.
With that in mind, I found it interesting to see Pace’s name on the RSVP list for one of the 2021 NFL Draft’s prized QB prospects:
Bears GM Ryan Pace is among the RSVPs for Trey Lance’s pro day, too!
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 11, 2021
Dave Birkett (of the Detroit Free Press) tweets that Pace is set to have his eyes on North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance. As should be the case.
Pace and his gang of scouts and talent evaluators need to have their eyes on all sorts of QB options until a solution presents itself. Or to put it another way, these guys need to be as obsessive as finding a quarterback upgrade as they were when they were trying to unearth a kicker in 2019. And considering the turnover we’re set to see at the position this offseason, the Bears (and the league’s other 31 teams, for that matter) should be doing their due diligence on all the prospects. Full stop.
But let’s take a moment to chop it up with Lance in mind.
At 6-4 and 228 pounds, Lance has an ideal frame for the next level. He finished his college career with a 30-to-1 touchdown-interception ratio, flashed high-end athleticism as a runner by adding 18 touchdowns, and won a national championship while starting as a redshirt freshman. Yes, he played his college ball at the FCS level. But that won’t stop anyone from dreaming on his upside and potential. And judging by how the NFC North will be represented by the Bears and Lions, there’s definitely some intrigue in Lance as a prospect.
Lance lines up to be first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. He could go in the top-10 depending on how things shake out with quarterback situations elsewhere.
For what it’s worth, this will be the Bears’ second known look at Lance. They were at his showcase game last fall. And while that performance was ultimately a dud, it hasn’t slowed the hype train down one bit.
