Former Pro-Bowl QB Named as Potential Caleb Williams Backup
The Chicago Bears will need an experienced veteran behind Caleb Williams next season. The ideal target is still available on the market.
By Cem Yolbulan
The Chicago Bears are understandably laser-focused on the 2024 NFL Draft. They are all but guaranteed to select Caleb Williams with their first overall pick but what they will do with their ninth overall selection remains to be seen. That doesn't mean, however, that the Bears are done on the free-agent market. There are still plenty of players available on the market and Chicago should take advantage of that leading up to the draft.
There are a few positions that the Bears can't address at the draft. One of those is the backup quarterback.
Bears Need a Veteran Backup QB
Chicago needs to find a veteran backup behind their rookie signal-caller and the current QBs on the roster, Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien are certainly not that.
Matt Holder of the Bleacher Report identified one still-available free agent that would help each NFL team and has the ideal backup quarterback for the Bears: Ryan Tannehill.
At this stage of his career, the 35-year-old Tannehill is not a starter. But he is a more-than-competent backup and the best one left on the market right now.
With 151 starts in his 11-year career, Tannehill is as experienced as they come. He is not the dual-threat, Pro Bowl quarterback he once was as he put together his worst campaign as a pro last season, finishing with four passing touchdowns to seven interceptions. But, he is a clear upgrade over the current options on the depth chart.
Every young quarterback needs a veteran mentor. Especially one that was also a high draft pick who came into the league with huge expectations like Tannehill could prove to be very valuable for Caleb Williams.
The Chicago Bears will have an uphill battle next season, regardless of how they fill out the rest of their roster. They are currently behind the Lions and the Packers with +370 odds to win the NFC North. Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook now to take advantage of these odds and claim your $200 in bonus bets after your first winning wager.
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