One of the big misconceptions about drafting quarterbacks over the years is it’s not always about talent. In the world of the NFL, fit matters almost as much. Very few quarterbacks are capable of playing in any scheme. More often than not, it’s about the right QB landing in the right system. As time has gone on, it’s become clearer that Mitch Trubisky is not the best fit for Matt Nagy’s offensive scheme for the Chicago Bears.
Yes he is talented but people aren’t blind. They watched last season. It was clear he just wasn’t grasping it. That is why Nagy grew visibly frustrated at times and why the Bears ended up trading for Nick Foles last month. They wanted somebody who could come in and execute this offense better. Foles had a lot of success in it with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hopes are high he can do so again with Chicago.
That said it’s still possible GM Ryan Pace may wish to add another body to the mix. With Trubisky in the last year of his contract and Foles able to leave via a player option if he wishes in 2021, the Bears don’t have any long-term arms on the roster. So who might they target if they wish to change that?
Two QBs stick out as options for the Chicago Bears
Lets just get this out of the way. Unless Pace is planning a move up into the 1st round, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to consider names like Tua Tagovailoa or Jordan Love. So they’re off the table. This is purely a discussion of quarterbacks who stand a reasonable chance of being on the board when the Bears pick at #43 overall.
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Anthony Gordon (Washington State)
“He’s got the arm to throw from varied slots and release points and throw accurately and with needed touch.”
Watching Trubisky for the past two years, it’s clear Nagy wants his quarterback to do two things well. That is to see the field clearly and throwing with good timing and accuracy. When Trubisky did it, the offense functioned at a high level. When he didn’t, things wouldn’t go. It was so disheartening to watch him miss so many open receivers by a number of feet each game.
Gordon is hardly a polished product. He only started one year at Washington State and needs a lot of fundamental work with his feet. Yet few can question his touch and accuracy. Boasting a lightning-quick release, he’s often able to get the ball to his targets in stride even when he’s under direct pressure. There is gunslinger confidence to him that Nagy would certainly be drawn to. If he can learn to read defenses better, the upside is huge.
Jake Fromm (Georgia)
“He’s a full-field reader who has shown a consistent ability to change plays and make smart pre- and post-snap decisions.”
If Fromm was an inch or two taller and had a stronger arm, he’d be in talks as a possible top 10 pick this year. When it comes to competitiveness and leadership, the Georgia quarterback has everything a team could ask for. He’s also known for his football intelligence, able to diagnose what defenses are trying to do. Something that Trubisky seemed to struggle with a lot last season when the demands for him to do so increased.
His accuracy is also solid enough. It’s a matter of whether a team can look past his limited arm. There is no doubt his mind would be able to handle the voluminous playbook Nagy has. The Chicago Bears seemed to handle having a limited QB like Chase Daniel well enough. Fromm might have a little more upside than that.
