Just when you think you’re done obsessively watching for Chicago Bears quarterback options, they pull you back in.
With the Jacksonville Jaguars set to take Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Ian Rapoport reports teams are inquiring about Gardner Minshew’s availability. That makes sense, since Jacksonville figures to clear the decks for Lawrence and a veteran who can show a rookie the ropes.
But what I did not expect the Bears to be in this whatsoever:
Wouldn't be surprising if he wound up being traded to CHI (if he does get dealt)… https://t.co/f9NOIXHfBT
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 17, 2021
Could you imagine what it would be like around these parts if the Bears traded for Jaguars backup quarterbacks in consecutive offseasons? Uh, well, we might not have to imagine it if Adam Caplan is onto something.
Seeing Minshew’s name pop up as a possible trade target seems random. And when you factor in that Chicago just brought in Andy Dalton and already have Nick Foles under contract, you’d think it would be surprising to see Minshew land with the Bears.
But maybe we shouldn’t be? Hear me out.
Earlier in the week, the Tribune’s Brad Biggs went digging for info on who could be on the Bears’ list of QB targets. And on the short-list given to Biggs were the names of Jameis Winston, Gardner Minshew, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Biggs lets it be known those names were mentioned in that order, mind you. Which feels relevant right about now.
As does this, via Rap:
From Free Agency Frenzy: Teams have been calling the #Jaguars about QB Gardner Minshew, a possible trade target. pic.twitter.com/TE4z5VnAV3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2021
Rapoport specifically mentions the Bears as a fit, citing his prior work with John DeFilippo. More to the point, he deems Chicago as a possible landing spot if the Bears can rid themselves of Foles. Heck, maybe Jacksonville would want Foles as a mentor for Lawrence? Hey, stranger things can happen.
Minshew, 24, has 23 games (20 starts) under his belt. He has thrown more touchdowns (37) than interceptions (11) in those contests, averaged 6.9 yards per attempt, and owned a career 93.1 passer rating. Those numbers aren’t terrible. Almost makes you wonder if it’s worth nudging the Jaguars to see what the cost of doing business could be.
This offseason has already been bizarre enough. So we might as well get weirder with the mustachioed signal caller with swag to make things interesting.