Chicago Bears 2017 NFL Draft Prospect: Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes II
We continue to look at potential 2017 NFL Draft targets for the Chicago Bears with insight into Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II.
The Chicago Bears need a quarterback for the 2017 season.
No, seriously, the Bears need a quarterback for the 2017 season.
Jay Cutler is currently the only quarterback under contract with the Bears for the 2017 season. Though, Cutler’s future with the Bears was determined last week when it was confirmed that the team had begun shopping the veteran quarterback. Cutler won’t be coming back to the Bears in 2017 and that leaves the team without a starting quarterback.
Related Story: Scouting Western Michigan OL Taylor Martin
Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace will be defined by the decision he makes at the quarterback position this off-season. Pace is facing several options. Those options include acquiring a quarterback via trade such as Jimmy Garoppolo or Tony Romo, signing a free agent quarterback like Colin Kaepernick, or selecting a quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Not only are the Bears searching for their 2017 starting quarterback, they are searching for their next franchise quarterback. It is a rare for a NFL team to trade for their franchise quarterback. Typically, NFL teams find their franchise quarterback through the draft. Will the Bears follow suit?
More from Chicago Bears
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Next Chicago Bears starting quarterback makes Bowl Game decision
- Chicago Bears appear in the hunt while on track for the first pick
- Chicago Bears: They are who we thought they were
- Chicago Bears Rumors: Kevin Warren to oversee football operations
If the Bears are determined to find their franchise quarterback through the 2017 NFL Draft, then the team will take a hard look at Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II.
In three seasons with Texas Tech, two as a starter, Mahomes threw for 5,052 passing yards and 93 touchdown passes against 29 interceptions.
Mahomes often is surpassed by Notre Dame’s Deshone Kizer, North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky, and Clemson’s DeShaun Watson in rankings of the top quarterback prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft. Though, some suggest that Mahomes has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft.
In fact, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock suggests that Mahomes could sneak into the first round.
“He’s different. He’s a gunslinger, he’s got an innate feel for the game,” Mayock said. “The more I look at him, the more I push him higher and closer to that first-round conversation with (DeShone) Kizer, (Deshaun) Watson and (Mitch) Trubisky. Mahomes is picking up steam in NFL circles.”
There certainly is a lot to like in regards to Mahomes. Mahomes does have a strong arm and that certainly will appeal to NFL teams. A franchise quarterback in Chicago will need a strong arm. For as much criticism as Cutler took during his time with the Bears, each season he would make several throws were mesmerizing due to his arm strength. Mahomes has the type of arm strength that reminds me of Cutler. Simply put, because of his arm strength, Mahomes can make any throw on the football field.
However, there are a couple of red-flags with Mahomes. The first is that Texas Tech’s offensive system is far from a NFL offensive system. Mahomes likely will not be able to come in and start immediately for a NFL team. The second red-flag is that Mahomes’ footwork needs dramatic improvement. The concern is that Mahomes’ poor mechanics could lead to him relying to heavily on his arm strength. Bears’ fans have already seen the dangers that could cause first hand.
Must Read: Is Alshon Jeffery worth elite money?
If Pace is impressed with Mahomes’ arm strength and believes that the Bears’ coaching staff could fix his mechanics, then the Texas Tech quarterback may be an option for the Bears in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Check in tomorrow as we profile LSU safety Jamal Adams; another possible 2017 NFL Draft prospect for the Chicago Bears.