Connor Orr at nfl.com writes about how NFC teams off to a bad start can be fixed. He comments on the Bears:
“Trade for Geno Smith, Ryan Nassib, EJ Manuel or AJ McCarron: Most of these quarterbacks are from the forgotten class of 2013, but McCarron, a fifth-round pick the year after, is also jammed between a rock and a hard place in Cincinnati. The Bears, not knowing what will happen in next year’s draft, should ensure themselves by dealing for one of these unknown quarterbacks — with Manuel and Smith, give them a chance in a different offense — and letting them rip. They can spend the weeks leading up to, and including the bye week learning the system and for the final eight games, the Bears’ offense is theirs to mold. What’s the worst-case scenario here? The Bears deal a late-round pick on a flier and it doesn’t work out? Are they worried about protecting their relationship with Jay Cutler?”
I don’t have a problem with trading for a young back up who shows promise. But Nassib has thrown just 5 passes with the New York Giants. McCarron might fit the bill but he would almost certainly cost more than “a late round pick”.
But at least the Bears could entertain the possibility with those two. The very thought of trading for Smith or Manuel is absolutely revolting. If these players couldn’t do it for the Jets and Bills, two teams which are at worst middle of the pack this year, I have no use for them. These aren’t even mediocre quarterbacks that are hanging around while waiting for the light to come on. Neither has ever shown me even a smidgen of what it takes to be a good quarterback in the NFL. Kordell Stuart was a better acquisition. And Bears fans know how that one turned out.
Orr might think that taking a chance with a late round draft pick isn’t a big deal but the Bears aren’t the Denver Broncos. They’re rebuilding and they need every pick. If they’re going to trade one, I would hope that it wouldn’t be for a quarterback that has already shown that he doesn’t have it.