Chicago Bears: Who Will Start At Quarterback in 2015?
Marcus Mariota/Jameis Winston/Brett Hundley/etc.
As of right now, the Bears are slated to have the ninth pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Top quarterback prospect Marcus Mariota is almost sure to be gone in the first three picks, while some believe Florida State signal-caller Jameis Winston will be selected in the top five as well. After that this class’s quarterbacks drop off significantly until you reach a guy I have with a second-round grade in UCLA’s Brett Hundley.
If the Bears are ready to just start over on offense, they could consider trading up into a position to take either Winston or Mariota. I’m not sure they have the ammunition to make a deal like that, but future first-round picks would certainly have to be added to any package. Would a new general manager in his first year on the job be willing to make such a risky move? That remains to be seen, but the Bears could use a shake-up and making a big draft day splash could do just that. Remember, the 2015 draft will be in Chicago so the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Let’s say they don’t move up and are stuck at No. 9. The right move then might be trading down to stockpile picks and trying to get someone like Hundley late in the first round or early on the second day. Obviously this is all guesswork because many players have yet to even declare themselves eligible for the draft, but if the Bears can move Cutler and decide to go young, the draft will certainly be an option.
Any young quarterback who comes in will have his learning curve lessened by the presence of Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte. Those guys could make any competent quarterback look great. It would be an ideal situation for a talented rookie to walk into.