Chicago Bears: Three styles of play for quarterback Mike Glennon

When all else fails, just let it rip

At this point, desperation has sunk in for Mike Glennon. The hope is that his style of quarterback play never reaches this point in 2017, given how hard he’s worked over the course of his career to prove himself. Still, it’s a real possibility, especially if Glennon senses his time as a starter is likely coming to an end.

Making a last-ditched effort to keep his starting job, or at the very least, audition for other teams, Glennon, visibly frustrated by both his and the team’s lack of success, could turn into the ultimate gambler on the field.

This type of do-or-die scenario is reminiscent of the end of last season for the Bears. Only last season, it was former third-string quarterback, Matt Barkley, running the Bears’ offense under center.

Barkley, during his brief time as the Bears’ starting quarterback in 2016, showed flashes of promise, despite having less-than-stellar arm strength. Still, Barkley’s play at quarterback was hardly that of a game manager, because he was more than willing to take on defenders, by throwing the ball deep into coverage often. Hoping to hit his receivers in stride for touchdowns.

This gunslinger mentality is what ultimately led Jay Cutler out of town. Along with Barkley in the end. For every impressive touchdown Barkley threw, along came the jaw-dropping, boneheaded interceptions in triple coverage.

It’s important for every quarterback out there, to have confidence that he can make any throw. Any throw that isn’t ill-advised.

Of course, when you’re desperately playing for a starting job, all bets are off. You try so hard to make a lasting impression on your team. Or at the very least, for other possible suitors out there.

Glennon, realizing that this may be his final opportunity to hold onto a starting job, will put his entire faith in his right throwing arm. By letting it rip down the field. At whatever cost.

Next: Bold predictions for the 2017 Bears

This style of quarterback play will likely lead to more bad than good. But then again, if all else has failed before that. Maybe it’s worth a try at this stage of the game.

Hopefully, though, Glennon doesn’t find himself experiencing what the Bears saw from the quarterback position last season. If that becomes the case, Glennon wouldn’t have done himself, nor the Bears any favors in their likely brief time together.