Chicago Bears Keeping Options Open for Quarterback Position
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace is aware of the need that the team has at the quarterback position.
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace knows magnitude of the decision regarding the quarterback position this off-season.
“Trust me,” Pace said, “I understand the magnitude of that decision going forward. That’s a critical, critical decision for me and this whole building.”
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The Bears are entering the off-season with an unclear picture of who their starting quarterback will be in 2017. Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, and Connor Shaw finished the season on the injured reserve list. Matt Barkley finished the season as the Bears’ starting quarterback but that opportunity was likely picked along with his 10 interceptions during the team’s final three games.
Contract wise, Cutler is the only quarterback signed to the roster for 2017. Though, with no guaranteed money left on Cutler’s contract, there has been overwhelming speculation that the Bears will part ways with the veteran quarterback at some point this off-season. Pace did admit to speaking with Cutler earlier this week but did not reveal the extent of the conversation.
“There are a lot of real candid conversations that take place with a lot of transparency and honesty. Some of those things I’d like to keep between us. But once we make a decision as an organization — whatever it is — he’ll be the first to know.”
Regardless of Cutler’s future with the Bears, Pace needs to find a long-term answer at the quarterback position this off-season. The Bears’ general manager is not ruling out any options in his search for an answer at the quarterback position.
“Everything’s on the table right now,” Pace said. “Really, that’s what it is. It’s free agency. It’s trades. It’s the draft. It’s current players on our team. Everything’s on the table.”
Unless Washington Redskins’ quarterback Kirk Cousins hits the free agent market, Pace’s best option will be through the draft or through trade. The draft includes top quarterback prospects DeShone Kizer, DeShaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky, and Patrick Mahomes II. In terms of trades, the only ideal candidate would be New England Patriots’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
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Pace, along with the Bears’ 2017 off-season, will be judged by what the team does at the quarterback position. For that reason, Pace will need to take a gamble but it must be the right gamble.
Let’s hope that the Chicago Bears’ general manager is a betting man.