For the better part of a century, the Chicago Bears have dealt with quarterback mediocrity. It’s been the reason for the offense’s struggles over the years, and certainly a reason why Chicago’s outlook in 2021 is murky at best.
The Bears aren’t in an idea situation at quarterback heading into the offseason. Nick Foles remains the only quarterback under contract in 2021 and Mitchell Trubisky is likely headed on his way out of Chicago.
Pro Football Focus examined the best-case scenario at quarterback for the Bears, which includes them drafting Alabama’s Mac Jones. But they also examined the worst-case scenario, which is more along the lines of what Bears fans are expecting.
Here’s what PFF had to say about why sticking with Foles is the worst-case scenario for the Bears in 2021.
If all of the top five quarterbacks are off the board by the time Chicago is picking at No. 20 — a very real possibility — then it’s time to press the panic button. That is assuming nothing is done via trade or in free agency, neither of which is likely. This would mean the Bears are left with just Nick Foles, and we all know that experiment did not work. And if Allen Robinson II signs elsewhere in this same scenario, the Bears are destined to field one of the worst, if not the worst, passing offenses in the NFL.
Chicago’s gamble with Foles — which included trading a fourth-round pick and a ton of guaranteed money — didn’t pay off. Foles went 2-5 as a starter, and the offense was incapable of producing much on the ground or through the air.
But with Foles owed $21 million in guaranteed money, the Bears are stuck with him. The only question is: Who will join Foles on the roster in 2021?
With general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy’s job security on life support, the Bears need to make a splash at quarterback this offseason. That’ll likely come through the draft, but they’re in a tough situation sitting with the 20th overall pick.
It wouldn’t be a surprise for Pace to take another swing at a franchise quarterback, but there’s a chance that a developmental guy is in the cards for Chicago. That would leave the Bears with Foles at quarterback in 2020, which isn’t exactly ideal given how last season panned out.
