As insurance for Caleb Williams, the Bears should sign a quarterback with pro bowl experience.
Though one ESPN analyst thinks they should have a veteran backup plan in place in case something keeps rookie quarterback Caleb Williams off the field, the Chicago Bears could be in the running for the postseason in 2024 if Williams acclimates to the NFL quickly and delivers on the star power that made him this year’s No. 1 overall draft pick.
Recently, ESPN writer Aaron Schatz made the connection between the Bears and veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill. In the months following Williams’ pick, Tannehill has grown in popularity as a free agency possibility for Chicago. Although Tannehill has started 151 games in the previous 11 seasons and will be 36 when the 2024 season begins, he would be a more competitive backup option than any of the other three quarterbacks behind Williams.
In Williams’ rookie season, Tannehill, if he’s willing, may also provide Williams with crucial mentoring; Schatz even characterizes Tannehill’s possible role as “a veteran part-time coach.” On June 23, Schatz said, “The Bears believe they put a real playoff-contending team around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.” “How in the world are they going to respond if Williams is injured? This squad is not going to the playoffs with Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien leading the way. The best quarterback available should be signed by the Bears to serve as both a veteran part-time coach and Williams’ backup.
Still the Best Veteran QB Option Is Ryan Tannehill Tannehill is a more sensible choice than the other quarterbacks available to the Bears if they want to bring in an experienced quarterback to serve as their new No. 2. Tannehill, who has performed well for the Tennessee Titans over the last five seasons and was named a Pro Bowl and Comeback Player of the Year in 2019, deserves some of the credit for that.
With 10 games played, four touchdowns, seven interceptions, and an early-season high ankle sprain that made things more difficult for him, Tannehill showed symptoms of deterioration for the Titans in 2023. Tannehill played the remaining three games after rookie Will Levis was injured, despite the Titans benching Levis.
Of course, the fact that there are no quarterbacks available at this time is another reason Tannehill makes sense for the Bears. Teddy Bridgewater was a possibility, but he is currently a Miami high school football coach after retiring. Jacob Eason and Trevor Siemian are further choices, although Siemian has only had one (unforgettable) spell in Chicago, and Eason’s experience is even less than what Bagent gained as a rookie in 2023.
In other words, Tannehill is the only logical choice since he is the only one who has the potential to significantly improve the Bears’ quarterback problem in lieu of Williams. However, there is little indication that the Bears have a strong desire to bring in a seasoned passer.
Bagent Tyson Might Win or Lose Camp Backup Job To be fair, it is difficult to criticize the Bears for their attention on Williams. He is the most eagerly anticipated quarterback prospect the team has ever chosen, and he might provide the solution to their ongoing quarterback problems. As if there was any doubt at all, they have already announced him as their starting quarterback for the 2024 campaign.
However, Bagent’s performance in training camp will probably determine whether the Bears feel the need to bring in a more seasoned quarterback to the room behind him. In 2023, Bagent surprised everyone by going from being an undrafted player out of Division II Shepherd to the starting backup role early in the season. He showed so much promise in the offseason that the Bears decided to bench veteran P.J. Walker, a free agent they signed to be Justin Fields’ backup, and instead turned things over to Bagent.
Bagent also had the chance to play extensive minutes during five games in the middle of the season while Fields recovered from an injury. In his four relief starts, Bagent completed 65.1% of his passes (84 of 129) for 776 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions. The outcomes were a mixed bag. Experience is still a useful instructor, though.
The job is practically his to lose at this point, unless the Bears take to the advice and bring in a convincing experienced quarterback. The Bears will still need to see more progress from Bagent in 2024 before they can feel secure about him as their No. 2 quarterback.