Chicago fans have been very confused with Ryan Pace’s strategy after the recent signing of Mark Sanchez. Does this mean there won’t be a quarterback drafted? Is Sanchez really a viable option to backup Mike Glennon?
Endless jokes and memes flooded the Internet the second the Bears announced the news, here’s an example:
In a recent interview with WGN, Pace revealed the ways he intends to use Sanchez in Chicago this season. Pace sees Sanchez as “a really good, solid No. 2 quarterback.”
“I like him in this role for a lot of reasons and one of them is the experience that he has,” Pace said. “He’s been through the highs and lows of our league. He’s played in some big markets, he’s dealt with challenges, he’s dealt with success. I think he’s the kind of player that exudes confidence. I like that about him.
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Pace said Sanchez and Glennon have already “clicked,” organizing workouts on their own.
“You think about Mike, he’s still a young player,” Pace said. “Mike’s a young player coming into a starting role in a big market. And Sanchez has done that. So I think having some of those experiences is going to help behind the scenes.”
Essentially, Pace will be using Sanchez as a mentor for Glennon as he embarks on his first season as the starting quarterback for the Bears. This is somewhat confusing because a lot of fans expected Glennon to serve as a mentor for a young rookie quarterback, predicted to be drafted high, who would presumably become “the future.”
Judging by Pace’s recent comments, it seems Sanchez was brought in to help develop the “inexperienced” Glennon. Could be a rewarding strategy considering Glennon is only 27 years-old and even though he has five years experience, he’s only thrown 11 real passes in the last two years.
Sanchez played in two consecutive AFC championship games and was originally a 5th overall pick, if anything he does have experience.
But again, does this mean Chicago won’t be drafting a quarterback with the third overall pick?
“We’ll have an elite group of names that we’re confident will be there (at No. 3),” Pace said. “But beyond that, OK, there’s some pretty good depth in this draft, too, so are there scenarios — and it’s easier said than done — where we can trade back. Those things’ll be discussed.”
Nobody knows just yet, but Pace is adamant about taking the “best player available” wherever he picks.
It is worth noting the Denver Broncos signed Sanchez last year, then drafted Paxton Lynch in the first round, and ended up cutting him. Just sayin…. Bear down.
