Chicago Bears: Examining the 2020 quarterback options
The Chicago Bears will definitely circle the quarterback position when highlighting their positional targets for the 2020 NFL Draft. Could that ultimately be how general manager Ryan Pace chooses address to the quarterback position?
Chicago Bears’ general manager has had some interesting “high-school crushes” when it comes to the quarterback position.
Obviously, Mitchell Trubiskly was ultimately Pace’s Belle of the Ball but he was not the first one.
In recent drafts, the two most notable quarterbacks that Pace had an interest in were Marcus Mariota of the Tennesee Titans and Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns. With an offensive-minded head coach in Matt Nagy determined to make his offensive work in Chicago, Pace may look towards the draft to give Nagy what he wants.
Chicago Bears
It is important to remember that the Bears do not have a first-round draft pick in 2020. That means that Heisman winning quarterback Joe Burrow form LSU will not be an option for the Bears.
Though, with a pair of selections in the second round of the draft, the possibility remains that Pace will utilize one or both of those selections to address the quarterback position. Whether it is bundling the two second-round selections to jump into the first round or using when of those selections to address the quarterback option, Pace will have two intriguing options available to him.
Oklahoma Sooners’ quarterback Jalen Hurts has the skill-set to flourish in the Bear’ offensive system under Nagy. Not to mention, Hurts is the only quarterback in NCAA history to lead to two different programs to the College Football playoffs.
Hurts’ 2019 campaign with the Sooners has certainly been the best of his college career. Hurts posted a passer rating of 200.3 in 2019 to go along with 32 touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 71.8 percent. Hurts has the rushing ability to also thrive in Nagy’s RPO-type system as he rushed for 1,255 yards in 2019.
The other option for the Bears is Georgia’s, Jake Fromm.
Fromm does not have the playoff pedigree that Hurts not the rushing skill-set but has the arm strength to hit on the throws that Trubisky has missed during the 2019 season,
With the Bulldogs in 2019, Fromm posted a passer rating of 139.7 to go along with 22 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 60.3 percent.
Fromm and Hurts are two of the most likely-draft options for the Bears in 2020.
The difficulty the Bears becomes their draft flexibility. With the lack of a first-round draft pick, the Bears will have to prioritize their draft needs. With the need for a tight end and offensive line help potentially being more prevalent than the quarterback position, Pace may have to wait until the later rounds to select a developmental quarterback.