Is DeShaun Watson the Perfect Leader for The Chicago Bears?

After an impressive performance in the second half of the college football national title game, Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson may have been placed on the Chicago Bears’ radar.

“It’s my time to go,” said Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson after being named offensive MVP for his efforts during Clemson’s victory over Alabama in the college football national title game.

Watson was referring to his intentions to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. Watson is cashing in at the right time considering his stock has never been higher. Watson is coming off two seasons with Clemson where has put up an impressive performance against Alabama in the national title game. An Alabama defense that is widely considered to be the best defense in all of college football.

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In Clemson’s 35-31 win over Alabama on Monday night, Watson passed for 450 yards and 3 touchdowns while also rushing for 43 yards and a rushing touchdown. What was perhaps more impressive than Watson’s play on the field was his poise. There were several instances during Monday’s game where Watson could have been rattled. Instead, Watson remained calm and collected and led Clemson to a come from behind victory.

Watson figures to be a top-10 selection in the 2017 NFL Draft and with the Chicago Bears having the third overall selection, is there a connection?

The Bears certainly need to find their franchise quarterback but the debate has been whether or not the team can find that quarterback in this year’s draft. Watson, from an off the field perspective, is everything that the Bears are looking for in a franchise quarterback. Watson has outstanding leadership qualities and does not fold under pressure. Strictly from an off the field perspective, Watson would be worthy of the No. 3 overall selection.

Where the water gets murky is when Watson’s skill-set is analyzed. Watson does not have a terrific arm but that can be worked around. The biggest issue is that Watson sometimes has questionable decision making–thus, the 17 interceptions he threw during the 2016 college football season. But, Watson showed on Monday that when he has time in the pocket to analyze the field and step into his throws–he has the potential to be real good. Not to mention, Watson has elite athleticism.

The flaws in Watson’s game, i.e. decision making, can be corrected with the proper coaching. Can offensive coordinator Dowell loggains really be trusted to develop Watson properly? There have been glimpses that Loggains can be successful with quarterbacks given how well Brian Hoyer played in the team’s offense before fracturing his arm this past season. Matt Barkley, despite the bulk-load of interceptions at the end of the season, also improved his stock while playing in Loggains’ offense. Meaning, Loggains does usually get the best out of the quarterbacks that he works with. That would need to be the case once again if the Bears selected Watson with the No. 3 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.

DeShaun Watson’s time to enter the NFL is now and that may be perfect timing considering the Chicago Bears are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback.

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