GM Ryan Poles doesn’t have to worry about finding a starting quarterback. Caleb Williams looks like the guy the Chicago Bears have waited for. Ben Johnson and his coaching staff should be able to get more out of him moving forward. However, that doesn’t mean the team plans to stay idle at the position. There has been plenty of criticism of the organization for not bringing in a veteran presence to help Williams last year when it was clear he needed some guidance. Tyson Bagent is a quality backup, but he couldn’t offer any advice due to minimal experience.
It appears Poles and Johnson plan to rectify that. Adam Hoge asked the GM about it on the Hoge & Jahns podcast. Poles admitted the team is planning to make a move in the near future. It depends on finding the right fit for what the team is looking for. Johnson has direct ties to Teddy Bridgewater, who is available after spending last season in Detroit. Joe Flacco remains a dependable backup even at 40 years old. Case Keenum has already proven a worthwhile option in years past.
The Justin Fields issue may have influenced the Chicago Bears’ decision.
Reports surfaced not long ago that the former 1st round pick developed a contentious relationship with veterans Nick Foles and Andy Dalton during his rookie season in 2021. He didn’t feel he needed help and only saw them as obstacles to becoming a starter. The Chicago Bears likely wanted to avoid a similar incident with Williams, which is why they opted to start him immediately and kept Bagent as the backup. After watching last season, they can’t afford to let egos get involved. It must be about what is best for the team. A veteran QB can be a great sounding board for Williams as he continues to navigate the challenges of playing in the NFL. Bagent isn’t an automatic cut, mind you. This is more about infusing the position with much-needed experience.
They can pay Case Keenum more (this assuring his presence), as a “back-up quarterback” than as an assistant quarterback coach. But if they are truly interested in cost accounting, they would hire Dan Orlovsky, or Chase Daniels as a “quarterback consultant.” Which is what they SHOULD have done with Fields to get Stafford-Goff, or DeShaun Watson, trade value if they wanted Caleb Williams. Just pay for your damn coaches. Just pay for the Department of Education. There are too many people running around “inspired” by Ayn Rand, and not enough using her as toilet paper (although that might change in… Read more »
Apparently we have more wannabe sallies that have entered chat with their crazy ass takes. It’s good to have a veteran presence in the locker room. But are you really willing to pay that kind of money to bring in an old dude 3rd string QB whos only job is to mentor Caleb? Seems silly to me we have our QB room already. Caleb needs to spend more time around Ben and learn from him.
Congratulations to Chase Keemum, who evidently won the “Folks At Halas Hall Name Some Guys” contest.
Yeah… or he chose to go to a team that already drafted a QB that he didn’t have input on and couldn’t be blamed for if shit went sideways. There’s a lot of ways to look at things. But you are correct, it can’t get much worse. It could mathematically speaking get 420% better but only 100% worse.
I truly believe this season will be vastly different for CW than last year. Ben could have gone anywhere but he chose to coach CW. Hopefully top HC with a top offensive mind paired with highly talented young QB will equal success. It’s only up from last season.