The Chicago Bears made headlines this week … with their press conferences and the reported release of Buster Skrine. No, no QB news as yet, but if you read between the lines of what Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy said on Tuesday, things are brewing. And this morning, Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog, who is well connected and well respected in the Bears Twitter community, posted this:
There is chatter. pic.twitter.com/YmMBN5zuPD
— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) March 5, 2021
Exciting times indeed.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Thanks to all who submitted questions. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
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Bears Mailbag
Wilson, and it isn’t close.
The only ones who can probably replicate a Brady-like setup are Ryan or Wilson. More so Ryan.
I also like Mac Jones. He’s my QB2, actually. Zach Wilson has higher upside, but Mac has a higher floor.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 4, 2021
Robinson might refuse to sign the tender entirely, and I wouldn't blame him. The Bears' best shot is to negotiate a long-term deal that he will accept (unlikely), or facilitate a trade with a team that will sign him to one.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 4, 2021
The Bears don't have a lot of tradable assets, but Kyle Fuller, Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Roquan Smith, Cody Whitehair, and (of course) tag-and-trading Allen Robinson could be options.
(The Bears' window is still open if they get a premier QB this year.)
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 5, 2021
Interior is alright — I think they can upgrade Mustipher, but I'm not upset if they roll him out as the starting C.
They will likely cut Massie and bring in a new starting RT. They will likely continue with Leno.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 4, 2021
I'd like to see it, but a highly paid kicker at this point is honestly a luxury. They need a QB. If it means sacrificing Santos' cap space to absorb an expensive QB, do it.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 4, 2021
The Bears aren't going to wait until after the draft to hope the Texans wake up. They absolutely need to confirm their QB, so if Houston doesn't entertain offers within a reasonable time frame, the Bears will move on.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 5, 2021
It's almost impossible to guess at this point. I would be utterly shocked if it was Nick Foles.
If they go the veteran route, watch Marcus Mariota.
If they go the draft rout, watch Mac Jones.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 4, 2021
I doubt it, for three reasons:
— Tua is bad.
— Tua doesn't fit any of the three main boxes Nagy outlined yesterday in his press conferences.
— Tua is bad.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 4, 2021
The Bears need a few things:
— Fortify the OL.
— Invest in weapons (at least two WRs and a U-TE).
— Alter the coverage schemes, like I expect Sean Desai to do.
— Fix the pass rush, even if it's also just schematic tweaks.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 4, 2021
I would honestly not be that surprised by any subtractions the Bears make, especially in a trade for a QB. Guys like Jaylon Johnson, Roquan Smith or even Khalil Mack would be fair game.
If I am reaching? I'd watch Cody Whitehair.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 4, 2021