Chicago Bears: Veteran QB options are drying up

The Chicago Bears are desperate to address the quarterback position as shown by their move for a division rival over the weekend. They appear willing to spend what it takes to get their guy, but the problem is, the quality veteran options may be starting to dry up.

Look, the top target is obviously Deshaun Watson. Adding a top-five quarterback in the league who is just entering his prime would be a monumental win for general manager Ryan Pace. However, the Bears will have to convince Watson it’s best for him to come to Chicago and convince the Houston Texans their proposal is the best.

While fans continue to hold out hope for Watson, it may be a longshot. The Bears know that too which is why they have been eyeing other potential targets as plans B, C and D-Z.

The problem, though, is that the quality veteran options appear to be drying up before their eyes.

It started with the deal that sent Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and a couple of future first round picks.The Bears were firmly in the mix, and according to reports, offered more than just a first round pick (though it wasn’t reported exactly what that included).

It was always unlikely the Lions would trade their quarterback to a division rival, but after Watson, Stafford was the best realistic option.

It continued with the news that the San Francisco 49ers are keeping Jimmy Garoppolo around for 2021. The thought was that the 49ers would be in the Watson sweepstakes themselves or in the market for a new quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. It was at least a little surprising that they plan on bringing Garoppolo back. They could still potentially release him, and maybe this report was to try to entice a trade offer before they do, but at least for now, it doesn’t appear Jimmy G is an option either.

Now you may not think either of these two quarterbacks were great options, and that’s fine. But they were the best of what was available, at least at this moment in the offseason. Could a player like Dak Prescott become available? Sure, but there are certainly no guarantees.

So the Bears will currently move on to plan C, which for the moment appears to be Jameis Winston.

Unless the Bears somehow find a way to swing a deal for Watson, Bears fans may be trying to talk themselves into believing in yet another mediocre quarterback option come next season.