The Bears are seen as a “logical fit” for a former quarterback, who previously signed a $118 million contract, following the draft.
The Chicago Bears have officially designated Caleb Williams as their new franchise quarterback. However, their lack of experienced options behind him in the quarterback room raises the question of whether they might seek the assistance of a former Pro Bowler.
Despite the lack of depth, the Bears are confident in their roster’s reconstruction, believing it positions them for contention in the 2024 NFL playoffs, with Williams bolstering their optimism. Regarded as one of the premier quarterback prospects in recent years, Williams steps into what could potentially be an ideal scenario for a top overall pick.
Nevertheless, should anything happen to Williams that prevents him from taking the field, such as an injury, the Bears would find themselves in a precarious situation. While Tyson Bagent currently serves as their primary backup, his limited experience—he started four games as an undrafted rookie in 2023—leaves room for concern. Additionally, the Bears have veteran Brett Rypien, with only four career starts, and undrafted rookie Austin Reed from Western Kentucky.
To address this issue, Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon suggests that former Tennessee Titans starter Ryan Tannehill could be a viable target for the Bears. Kenyon notes Tannehill’s potential as a mentor, particularly with second-year player Tyson Bagent as the current backup to Caleb Williams.
While Tannehill seems like a logical choice given his status as the best available veteran quarterback, he might prefer an opportunity to compete for a starting role, which the Bears cannot offer him.
Despite Tannehill’s challenging 2023 season with the Titans, his extensive experience and career accomplishments, including over 34,000 passing yards, make him a worthy consideration if a starting quarterback need arises in the league.
However, financial constraints could pose a hurdle for the Bears, who have limited effective cap space after signing their draft picks. Even if they create additional cap room through veteran cuts, committing a significant portion of it to sign Tannehill raises questions about its overall value.
The Bears’ quarterback situation remains a point of scrutiny, particularly regarding depth and experience in the room. While they may not view this as a pressing issue until after evaluating performances during OTAs in May, establishing a clear hierarchy behind Williams will be crucial for the team’s stability moving forward. If Bagent demonstrates improvement during OTAs, the Bears may feel confident in entrusting him with the backup role for another season.
