Chicago Bears: Ranking 5 potential free agent quarterbacks for backup job

4. Geno Smith

Experience: Sixth season

Career stats: 29 TD, 36 INT, 72.9 rating

Remember the Geno Smith we saw in college when he was at West Virginia? That guy was fun to watch.

As a pro, though, his game hasn’t necessarily translated all that well. In his sixth season now in the NFL, it’s pretty clear to him that he will never be a starter in this league. Now, his focus will absolutely be on securing a job. The way he can do that is as a backup, obviously.

Smith would be someone at least worth bringing into camp to compete for the backup spot. Is he the clear-cut best candidate? No, of course not. But remember, the point here is that they need to find someone who isn’t going to get paid a boat load of money by some other team.

The Bears have other needs to fill, including a handful of starters. Smith doesn’t fall into that category, but he does possess some value as someone who has had some tough experiences that would translate into pertinent teaching moments.

Let’s remember that Smith is in the NFL for a reason. He does give a team a 6’3″ mobile quarterback who can escape the pocket and run for a few yards if need be. He has also proven that he can make some good throws if he is protected.

Unfortunately for Smith, though, the NFL defense continues to evolve and become faster, quicker and stronger. The time he will spend under pressure has gone up even after just five years in the league.

Is he the worst option out there? No, definitely not. Smith knows how it feels to win games. He has done it a few times. He has been through the ringer once or twice and would be able to give Trubisky a lot of tactics on how to make it through those more difficult times.

I’m not saying he is the answer for the Bears’ backup needs, but a one-year prove-it type of deal and a camp invite wouldn’t necessarily be the worst thing in the world.