The Chicago Bears were eliminated from the 2020 playoffs weeks ago, but they still did manage to win something in late January: The NFC North got weaker.
Detroit is dealing QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two future first-round picks, a third-round pick and QB Jared Goff, per sources. Two former No. 1 overall picks trading places in the first blockbuster NFL trade of 2021.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2021
The Detroit Lions trading QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for QB Jared Goff and draft picks makes the Lions worse in 2021. And that helps the Bears in 2021. With the schedule they’re slated to play and uncertainty at their own QB spot, they’ll take all the help they can get.
With the Super Bowl this Sunday, the Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy will get to watch two great teams face off, and figure out how they measure up going forward. (Though the Bears did beat Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in 2020.)
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After Sunday, an interesting and pivotal offseason should commence.
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.
Bears Mailbag
Through trades, the Bears would do well to target the following:
Derek Carr / Marcus Mariota
Matt Ryan (though it appears he's staying put)In free agency, the Bears could target Ryan Fitzpatrick as a stop-gap.
In the draft, the Bears' most realistic shot is Mac Jones.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
I think Miller is as good as gone. Wims may have a chance to stick around, but I don't think he should.
In free agency, the Bears should look seriously at Kenny Golladay or Chris Godwin as a "splash." An underrated option I like is Josh Reynolds.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
Yes. Santos should be a no-brainer and a formality, at this point.
Robinson is trickier. He is likely upset with a deal taking this long and probably wants to see what happens at QB. The Bears may have to get creative here with him, especially with his contract demands.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
Yes, for two reasons:
1. Support for Sean Desai from DCs who have had success in the NFL isn't a bad idea.
2. He has game planned for the whole NFC North and gone against Aaron Rodgers in practice for two years. That'd be nice information to have in the room.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
I’ve always been a big fan of Marcus Mariota. I think he was sabotaged toward the end of the Mularkey era.
I think he’s highly worth a flier, but Jon Gruden likes him a lot and may not be willing to part with him.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
Ryan Pace has no choice but to be successful in at least one route pursuing a QB. He can't run it back with last year's room, of course, and his job is on the line in 2021.
If the Bears can't get a deal done in the early offseason, expect an aggressive move in the draft.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
They're both quite bad. And Nagy does not want another non-cerebral QB (for the same reasons McVay got fed up with Goff).
Foles will have a very reasonable cap hit in 2021 for a backup QB. He's worth keeping on the roster for that purpose.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
My evaluation of Watson is different from the rest of Twitter, so I wouldn't make a sizable offer.
I think he can get the Bears to the playoffs, and perhaps win a game, but I see some fatal flaws in his game that could hold Chicago back.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
Not many, considering he doesn't have a starting QB, his #1 WR doesn't like him right now, and he's GMing not just for his job in Chicago, but is putting on an audition this offseason for 31 other teams, too.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
Mac Jones' stock is rising, mainly because he proved he could be successful outside of Alabama's system/infrastructure (at the Senior Bowl).
While I still think the Bears *could* nab Jones at #20, all it takes is one desperate team to send his stock soaring.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
It depends on what holes they end up needing to fill, but they should still concentrate on beefing up the offense.
They should make heavy investments at OL and WR, add another TE, and look at picking up another strong CB.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 3, 2021
