Chicago Bears 2020 Free Agency Primer: Quarterbacks

With only one quarterback signed for the 2020 season, the Chicago Bears will need to sign at least one veteran once free agency kicks off on March 18 at 3:00 p.m. central time, and depending on the direction they want to go, there are several different options available to them.

Everything hinges on if the Bears view current starter Mitchell Trubisky as a player truly deserving of the chance to still compete for the top spot, or if they would rather their new QB be a guy that could come in and take the reigns of the offense.

Despite what the head coach and general manager said at their press conference, I feel the team understands they need an upgrade at quarterback. That’s not to say Trubisky won’t still be a Bear in 2020, but they have to go into their bounce-back season with more options at the position.

On a recent ESPN 1000 Radio hit, back up Chase Daniel has expressed interest in returning to Chicago, “I love Matt Nagy, I love Mitch Trubisky, I love the scheme and everything about the city I’m in love with.” But with the way things went at QB in 2019 for the Bears, my guess is they want another starter level option in place. Whether that be signing a new number one to a big deal or getting a more viable option to compete with Trubisky remains to be seen, but I doubt Daniel will return.

Here are all the unrestricted free agent quarterbacks for the 2020 season according to Spotrac.

Drew Brees
Tom Brady
Eli Manning
Philip Rivers
Dak Prescott
Ryan Tannehill
Teddy Bridgewater
Jameis Winston
Marcus Mariota
Chase Daniel
Case Keenum
Chad Henne
Drew Stanton
Colt McCoy
Nate Sudfeld
A.J. McCarron
Josh McCown
Colin Kaepernick
Trevor Siemian
Mike Glennon
Brett Hundley
Blaine Gabbert
Matt Moore
Joe Webb
Blake Bortles
Sean Mannion
Geno Smith
David Fales
Alex Tanney
Jeff Driskel
Matt Simms

There are a few other quarterbacks that are either rumored to be cut candidates or on the trade block, so any movement from players like Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Cam Newton, Tyrod Taylor, Alex Smith, Nick Foles, Joe Flacco, Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Fitzpatrick or Josh Rosen would really add to a potential league wide QB shuffle.

But as for the true free agents...

Tom Brady indicated on Wednesday that he intends to play in 2020, but it’s still unknown if he’ll be back with the New England Patriots.

Drew Brees hasn’t made an official announcement, but reports are that he intends to play in 2020. All three quarterbacks on the Saints roster are free agents as number three QB, Taysom Hill, is a restricted free agent, and with Teddy Bridgewater also unrestricted the Saints have a decision to make. I wouldn’t put it past them to figure out how to get all three back for 2020, but don’t be surprised if they prioritize the versatile Hill and the 27-year old Bridgewater over the 41-year old Brees. And if Brees does make it to free agency, don’t rule out Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace’s strong desire to find his ‘own version’ of Drew Brees with the real deal.

Matt Moore looked decent in relief for Patrick Mahomes this year, so maybe a McCown-like resurgence is in the cards for him.

Case Keenum has a bunch of starts the last few years for the Redskins, Broncos, Vikings and Rams, and he has experience in a West Coast scheme.

Marcus Mariota shares an agent with Trubisky, so the odds of their representation angling to have both on the same team are slim, but at the end of the day money talks.

Eli Manning and Philip Rivers both seemed to play like guys pushing 40, but maybe a change of scenery would revitalize their career for a one or two year run.

Who do you guys think the Bears will add in free agency at QB?

Considering his practice squad eligibility has expired and he was never a serious candidate for a full time roster spot anyway, I also don’t see Tyler Bray returning to the team in 2020, so the Bears will need a “developmental” number three type from somewhere too. That guy should come from the NFL Draft, and speaking of the draft, keep an eye and ear out as our lead draft analyst EJ Snyder will be at the Senior Bowl practices scouting all the prospects.