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The Chicago Bears' brass may have been noncommittal on the quarterback situation earlier this offseason, but now it's apparent how things will shake out.
The only real mystery surrounding the position is seeing how many QBs the Bears plan to carry. In three of the last four years, John Fox kept 3 QBs on his final 53 man roster for the Denver Broncos. With only two experienced veteran QBs on the current roster, the Bears may look to add another arm before training camp. As it stands now, there seems to be 2 players battling for one spot.
Roster Locks
Jay Cutler is clearly the best quarterback on the roster. You may not like it, but it is what it is. Cutler also had a bad year last year. You may disagree and point to his career high completion percentage or near career high passer rating, but both of those numbers were aided by Marc Trestman's dink and dunk, screen heavy play calling.
Cutler seemed to play frustrated at times, Trestman seemed to lack trust in his QB, and the entire offense suffered because of it. Remember the promise that the offense showed in 2013? The Bears ranked 2nd in points scored and 8th in yards. Last year they dropped to 23rd in points scored and 21st in total yards.
Cutler will open as the #1 QB, and he'll stay that way barring a catastrophic breakdown.
A good bet to make it
Jimmy Clausen is the only experienced back up on the roster. He also has a brief history with John Fox, which can only help his cause. The only way he's not the #2 in 2015 is of one of the other young signal callers on the roster plays lights-out in camp and preseason.
On the bubble
But I don't see either David Fales or Shane Carden playing lights-out. I like the upside from each of these young QBs, I just don't think either will supplant Clausen for #2. Neither Fales or Carden has the arm strength of Cutler or even Clausen, but both showed great poise in college and both were accurate passers.
If the Bears carry 3 QBs, the loser of this battle could find his way to the practice squad. But if Chicago decides to roll with just two QBs on the opening game roster, they probably only keep one youngster for the practice squad.
Keep in mind that Fales was a draft pick from the old regime, while Carden was an undrafted free agent by the new regime.
My best guess on this position battle is the Bears carry 3, with Fales sticking and Carden being brought back for the practice squad.
What are your thoughts on the quarterback position battle?