Chicago Bears Must Make a Move for Patriots Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

The Chicago Bears must make a move for New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this off season.

Recent Chicago Bears rumors have the team making New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo the “top offseason priority.” The Bears have an obvious need at the quarterback position and could go in many different directions in filling it. However, there will not be a better option available than Garoppolo.

I have already seen some Bears’ fans worry about the asking price. The Patriots want at least a first round pick in exchange for their young backup signal caller. For a potential franchise quarterback, that is a fair price to ask for. It does not mean that they are going to get it.

I could perhaps see the Patriots landing a late first round selection for Garoppolo, but the Bears’ third overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft will not be in the discussion. If the Bears were willing to part ways with their 2017 second round pick (36th overall) and 2018 second round pick, I think they would be in the ballpark.

Those are undoubtedly two valuable picks that the Bears would be giving up, but if Garoppolo becomes a franchise quarterback, none of that matters. You need a good starting quarterback to compete for a Super Bowl in the NFL. Garoppolo is unproven, but he has the ability to at least be in the top half of NFL starting quarterbacks. Honestly, I think he would immediately be a threat for the top ten.

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Regardless, if Ryan Pace and company believe that Garoppolo is their guy, trading away two second round picks should not be an issue.

I have also heard from Bears’ fans who are worried about trading for a Patriots’ backup quarterback. The stigma around the league is that the Patriots dump their backup quarterbacks off on foolish teams and the player never has success again.

The prime example here is Matt Cassel. Filling in for an injured Tom Brady, Cassel led the Patriots to an 11-5 record in 2008. Bill Belichick capitalized on that success, and sent Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs (along with Mike Vrabel) for an early second round selection (34th overall to be exact).

Well, Cassel never played well in Kansas City and the trade end up being a huge bust for the Chiefs. Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer are also commonly brought up here, but Mallett was only traded for a conditional seventh round pick from the Houston Texans and Hoyer was actually released by the team.

Neither Mallett nor Hoyer went on to have any major success, but it is not like the Patriots found great value. They simply sold low in the case of Mallett and cut ties with Hoyer. The Cassel trade is certainly what has Bears’ fans worried, but this is a completely different situation.

Cassel was a seventh-round flyer by the Patriots in the 2005 NFL Draft. He was not a big-time prospect. He was just a guy who the Patriots molded to have a bit of success in a season without Brady. Garoppolo on the other hand, was a second round pick in 2014. He was a legitimate NFL prospect who many thought had starting quarterback ability.

In fact, let’s take a look back at the scouting report on Garoppolo heading into the draft (via NFL.com):

"Lightning release quickness. Urgent decision maker. Sells play-action. Athletic enough to slide in the pocket and buy time with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. Good anticipation — throws his receivers open. Can change ball speeds and drop it in a bucket. Does not take unnecessary sacks and will dump the ball.Will deliver the ball looking down the barrel of a gun. Tough-minded and poised in the pocket — can withstand a hit and pop back up. Highly competitive. Smart, respected, vocal team leader. Very durable, experienced, four-year starter. Good football intelligence."

Garoppolo has not had much opportunity to prove himself on the NFL field. But what we have seen of him has been impressive. He is an extremely smart quarterback who shows a ridiculously quick release and accuracy. His scouting report undoubtedly holds up over time.

It is impossible to say for sure whether Garoppolo will have success as a starter until he gets that full-time role. That being said, go back and look at his college tape. This guy is for real and he has done nothing over the last three years that should make you doubt his ability.

Next: Bears Mock Off Season: Free Agency and 7-Rd Mock Draft

Jimmy Garoppolo is a high-level starting quarterback in the NFL and the Chicago Bears must make him their number one priority this off season. Do not be afraid of over-paying or past Patriots’ quarterbacks. Garoppolo is the guy.

For the flip side of this, check out DWC co-expert Carlos Nazario on why the Bears should stay away from Garoppolo.

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