The Chicago Bears have made it clear everything is on the table regarding the quarterback position. No avenue will go unexplored. One thing that has proven clear to this point is the QB market is fluid and changing constantly. That was proven true when NFL sources revealed that the Los Angeles Rams are prepared to move on from starter Jared Goff.
On the surface, this isn’t a huge surprise. Goff was tremendous in 2018, throwing for 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while leading L.A. to the Super Bowl. Since then? He’s been decidedly average with just 42 touchdowns across two seasons and 29 interceptions. So it isn’t a huge surprise the team, which is built to win now would be exploring opportunities to upgrade. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed the team is interested in Detroit Lions veteran Matthew Stafford.
A revelation Rams insider Jourdan Rodrigue confirmed.
Sources: Matthew Stafford considers the Rams a viable contender in his trade market with the Lions. While it’s unclear what the Rams can do with Jared Goff’s long-term deal on the books, they’ve explored the possibilities with Stafford.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 29, 2021
Their public comments over the last two weeks all pointed toward the Rams' seeking of optionality at quarterback.
Now, a source said, exploratory trade dialogue has begun between the Rams and multiple teams as they identify what's possible: https://t.co/QN3jy3e7lW
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 30, 2021
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There is one problem though. Goff’s contract. Acquiring Stafford is impossible as long as Goff is still on the payroll and they can’t really cut him. This would incur a salary cap penalty of $30.25 million. Their only hope is a trade. Detroit is facing a rebuild so it doesn’t feel likely they’d be anxious to take on Goff and lose cap space. This is where problems for the Rams currently sit.
That begs the question. Are the Bears even remotely involved in this? The answer is yes according to a source. The team has reached out to the Rams about Goff. However, it’s not for the reason people think. This is more about sensing an opportunity to secure more draft capital. In essence, the Rams would give up multiple picks in this deal. Some to the Lions, one or two to the Bears who would take on that contract while L.A. gets their QB.
Then the Bears would likely reroute Goff to another team for an additional pick. Probably a late rounder. Thus they’ve secured multiple extra picks. It’s a fascinating idea with a metric ton of moving parts.
Jared Goff is not the solution the Bears are seeking
The entire idea behind such a complex trade maneuver would be to help the team acquire more draft capital. Picks they could then use to either further their own pursuit of a quarterback or supplement their aging roster with new, young talent. The odds are Chicago wouldn’t do such a trade unless they were relatively certain they could unload Goff after acquiring him. Trades of this complexity are rare and difficult to pull off.
In simpler terms? Don’t expect it to happen. It’s more likely the Bears are doing their homework on what a Jared Goff trade could look like from their vantage point. Maybe something comes together that GM Ryan Pace would find interesting. Yet if it’s to add Goff as a legitimate starter? He can start updating his resume for next year.
Goff would count just shy of $35 million against the cap this coming season.
The Bears are already projected to be $10 million over the cap. There is no way they can convince themselves trading for him as a starter would be worth it. Not when they’d likely have to gut half the defense just to somehow fit that contract onto the books. Head coach Matt Nagy has to know the team can and should aim higher.
