2017 NFL Draft: Local writer sees Chicago Bears taking quarterback in first round

Some experts feel the Chicago Bears may go with a quarterback as early as the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

We are now less than two weeks away from the 2017 NFL Draft. The time for watching Pro Days is over. The list of players the Chicago Bears have should have fewer names. Now the scouting department and general manager Ryan Pace, along with head coach John Fox, should have regular meetings. This is one of the most important drafts in franchise history, and the final preparations are taking place.

Speculation still runs wild about who the Bears select with their first round (third overall) draft pick. They can go defense, where talented players like Jonathan Allen, Solomon Thomas, or Jamal Adams can help bring back the “Monsters of the Midway” persona back. On the other hand, there are some talented offensive linemen, wide receivers or quarterbacks who can bring in a new era of an explosive Chicago Bears offense.

That second option is something that many fans and analysts alike argue about. There is a large segment of the fan base that wants the Bears to go after a quarterback. With Jay Cutler now out of Chicago, they want a good face of the franchise.

Of course, Pace signed Mike Glennon to start the season as the signal caller. Pace and Fox feel confident in Glennon’s ability. I’m just not sure the rest of Bears Nation feels the same. Besides, would you really put your job on the line for a quarterback who hasn’t played any significant time in the past two seasons without a backup plan?

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Greg Garbriel of CBS Chicago wrote an article expressing his thought that the Bears will draft a quarterback in the first round.

Gabriel feels that after all the losing, the Bears need to have a rookie quarterback who can step in if (when) Glennon falters:

"When you look at the contract Glennon signed, it also tells us the Bears are protecting themselves if he doesn’t play as well as hoped. The reality is the Bears can get out of his contract after one season if they so choose at a minimal cost. With the Bears having had losing seasons in each of the first two years of the Pace/Fox regime, they have to show improvement this season. That means that if Glennon doesn’t play as hoped, there has to be a viable option to step in. That has to be a rookie who can eventually become a winning NFL quarterback."

Most of Glennon’s guaranteed money is paid in 2017. If he struggles in 2017 and again to start 2018, the Bears can freely cut ties. That gives a rookie quarterback to learn the system and step in and take over. Also, don’t worry about Mark Sanchez. He won’t be taking anyone’s job.

Gabriel goes on to name Deshaun Watson as the possible pick. He fits the criteria Pace looks for in a signal-caller — a winner with great leadership qualities. He led the Clemson Tigers to two National Championship games (winning one of them) in his three years, and he was unquestionably the leader of that team.

I agree that if the Bears go with a quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft, it needs to be Watson. He has all the physical qualities you want in a quarterback to go along with the leadership skills. Additionally, he has high character, another thing Pace and the Chicago Bears ownership look for.

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Picking Watson will be controversial. After the struggles of 2014 first-round pick Kyle Fuller (and him missing the entire 2016 season), and the injuries suffered by 2015 first-rounder Kevin White, Pace will ask Bears fans to again see a top pick not play. This time, however, it’s part of a plan. If they see the Glennon experiment not working, they can stop it. Even if Glennon does play well, it gives the Bears another asset to deal and help make the team better.

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