Chicago Bears: How recent quarterback moves impact the Bears’ offseason
By Ryan Heckman
A few other quarterbacks signed future deals, but the Chicago Bears stayed put
There were some other quarterback moves that made their way across the NFL’s transaction wire over the last two weeks, and some may mean nothing while others could mean a little more.
On January 16th, the San Francisco 49ers signed veteran Josh Johnson to a future contract. Johnson has been around since 2009 and played primarily as a backup or emergency quarterback for his respective teams.
However, the 49ers signing a quarterback is intriguing because they are rumored to possibly move on from Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason. It’s nothing concrete, but there are whispers that Kyle Shanahan may want a different guy under center. Johnson’s signing likely means nothing, but it sure brings up more questions.
San Francisco picks no. 12 overall, which means they could easily be in play for a kid like Trey Lance, or to trade up a few spots and select one of the top three.
A bit more curious of a move was the New Orleans Saints signing Trevor Siemian to a future contract on the 19th of January. New Orleans is faced with a tough offseason because Drew Brees has likely played his last game for the black and gold, but they may have his replacement waiting.
No, not Taysom Hill — veteran Jameis Winston, who could be re-signed this offseason if the Saints want to make him the permanent starter going forward. Hill will still be used heavily, but Winston is the more natural quarterback and Sean Payton liked what he saw from the former Buc this season.
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New Orleans may not be in position to move up too high for a quarterback, as they pick no. 28 overall, and the Siemian signing could mean they like him as a third quarterback going into next year behind Winston and Hill — one less team for the Bears to worry about competing for a trade-up.