Ranking the QBs the Bears should trade for, from best to Carson Wentz

The Chicago Bears need to consider other options before going through with a trade for Carson Wentz.

The NFL quarterback trade market is running wild in 2021 and the Chicago Bears are reportedly trying to jump in and make a splash.

The Bears looking to upgrade at quarterback should, in theory, get fans excited. However, GM Ryan Pace is reportedly looking to trade for Carson Wentz and give fans an ulcer in the process. Rumors are everywhere and the general consensus is the Bears would send at least one first-rounder, and maybe even Nick Foles, in exchange for Wentz and his giant contract.

Pace already whiffed on taking Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick in 2017. Trading for Wentz may doom him and he should seriously consider several other options before making such a blockbuster deal.

Ranking Bears QB options from best to Wentz

Deshaun Watson

The Bears essentially have a chance at a do-over after taking Trubisky over Deshaun Watson in 2017. That is, if the Houston Texans come to their senses and accept an offer for the disgruntled quarterback.

The Texans being stubborn is what may make teams move quickly this offseason. Waiting on Watson could result in the Bears having to stick with Nick Foles at quarterback in 2021. But is he worse than Wentz? History would say no and he is also not carrying a max deal.

Watson should be the top choice, even with a high asking price. The Texans dragging their feet shouldn’t result in the Bears panicking and getting Wentz at a time when he may not even be a hot commodity.

Derek Carr

Are the Texans being a problem? Why not trade for Derek Carr?

Carr has proven to be a more consistent option than Wentz both with his play and his durability. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback just eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark and threw 27 touchdowns in 2020.

He is a much safer option than Wentz and is the easy choice if the Bears think a small improvement in quarterback play will make the difference. Carr is also a cheaper option and has a $0 dead cap value in 2022 in case things just don’t work out.

Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold is the cheapest option of this bunch and is a low-risk, high-reward choice. The Bears could land Darnold and still keep Foles on the roster.

The plan appears to be to move on from Trubisky and start a new era. The Bears could trade for Darnold and see if they can develop him after wasted years under Adam Gase. He is still only 23 years old and the Bears could get him in the long-term on a deal worth far less than what Wentz is making if the former No. 3 overall pick can show some growth in 2021.

The Bears don’t have to act like 2021 is this make-or-break year at quarterback. Just getting a consistent player under center is the key and a combo of Darnold and Foles doesn’t tie Pace’s future to Wentz living up to his contract.

Carson Wentz

There is the possibility of Wentz showing up in Chicago and becoming a perennial Pro Bowler. But this is still a player who signed a max deal, only to get benched in favor of Jalen Hurts.

Wentz is fresh off the worst season of his NFL career and threw 15 interceptions in 12 games. The Bears already have the quarterback who won the Eagles a Super Bowl and may be trapped thinking about what Wentz’s potential was back in 2016 as opposed to what he has shown on the field as of late.

Pace made a mistake back in 2017. If he wants to keep his job he needs to avoid making an even bigger mistake in 2021.