5 reasons why the Chicago Bears should still draft a quarterback
By Todd Welter
There are a couple of reasons why Poles should consider drafting one of the quarterback prospects in the later part of the draft.
The first reason is finding a backup quarterback at a lower salary-cap price. The Chicago Bears signed PJ Walker in the offseason. He is accounting for $1.5 million in salary-cap space. Walker can do some things that Fields can do on the football field, so the offense will not have to be altered much if Justin misses any games.
Still, that $1.5 million could have been allocated to a veteran player who will play more than Walker. It may be a small amount but that could be used toward getting some depth at cornerback or even wide receiver.
Plus, prospects like UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Louisville’s Malik Cunningham can do some of the things Walker can do at a fraction of the cost and are younger.
The Baltimore Ravens paid Tyler Huntley $2 million for three seasons to back up Lamar Jackson. The Bears were able to use Kyle Orton at a cheap price to back up Rex Grossman in 2005. Orton managed games just enough to help the Chicago Bears win the NFC North while Grossman was out.
A team can get a backup rookie victory bounce.
The second reason to draft a quarterback in the later rounds is the backup rookie bounce.
Sometimes an unexpected injury will thrust a rookie quarterback into the starting lineup. If the rookie is up to the NFL challenge along with defenses not having enough information on the player, that quarterback can pull off a few victories.
New England got two wins with Bailey Zappe under center last season.
Brock Purdy helped San Francisco get to the NFC Championship Game. Even Moses Moreno started a game for the Chicago Bears back in the 1990s and won.