Da Bear's QB Dilemma

DA bear's

qb dileMma

By: Cosme Lozano Staff Writer

In the midst of another mediocre season, the Bears find themselves back at square one. The team started the offseason by extending both Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace through the 2022 season. This decision split fans since some appreciate the work that both have done for the team. Regardless, the team has been subpar for the last two seasons.

In an attempt to save their jobs, many expect the Bears to be big contenders in obtaining a new franchise QB this offseason. This is due to the belief that Mitch Trubisky will not be retained for next season, making him a free agent. While on NFL Gameday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport had this to say on the matter: “QB Mitch Trubisky, who has played better lately, still has a lot to prove to be Chicago's QB of the future. It begins today.” The Chicago Bears played the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs but would go on to lose that game 9-21.

Potential candidates for the Bears’ QB position are Derrick Carr, Carson Wentz, Sam Darnold and (if Ryan Pace really wants to make a splash) Deshaun Watson. Each QB has strengths and weaknesses, especially since some have outrageous asking prices. I would like to see the Bears go after Derrick Carr; I feel he is a solid and reliable QB who would help open up Matt Nagys’s offense as it was designed. USF student Chris Kelley gives his take: “They need to start looking at new QBs like Carson Wentz and definitely Derrick Carr. I would like Deshaun Watson but he may be out of the price range. Carson Wentz is another candidate, since he is a professional that the Bears have been closely linked to.”

The Philadelphia Eagles were reported to have asked for two first round picks for Wentz. Asking prices like that turn teams off right away, especially when you play as bad as Carson Wentz did last season. The Bears were rumored to have offered a first round pick of RB Tarik Cohen and QB Nick Foles to the Eagles in exchange for Carson Wentz and draft compensation. This would send Nick Foles back to Philadelphia with the team he won Super Bowl LII with. As a lifelong Bears fan and as someone who covers them on social media, I would probably cry in frustration if we traded those assets for Carson Wentz. Wentz has the potential to return to MVP level of play, which we saw from him in 2017. The problem is that Carson Wentz has not played anywhere close to that since.

The Bears desperately need to solve their QB problem, which has plagued them since the departure of Sid Luckman in 1950. It is hard to determine whether the solution is Wentz, Carr, or Watson, since the choice ultimately comes down to a matter of opinion. The Bears can also be players in trading up on draft day to select a rookie QB. Regardless of the direction, change needs to happen. Chicago is a city that is beyond starving for a franchise QB, and I do not think that the fans can go on much longer.