8 quarterbacks not named Carson Wentz the Bears should acquire
By John Buhler
4. 30. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. New York Jets. Sam Darnold. player
A change of scenery would do him a world of good
One could argue he was the most highly-touted quarterback prospect of any player on this list. While others did go hire than him in their respective NFL Drafts, Sam Darnold only fell to the New York Jets at No. 3 in 2018. Unfortunately, Gang Green has been nothing short of a complete grease fire during Darnold’s first three seasons with the Jets. They have crushed his overall perception.
While the boom-or-bust potential is obviously there, Darnold will not be as pricey as Wentz would in a trade. Wentz was a former NFL MVP candidate, while Darnold pretty much saw ghosts playing for Adam Gase. Though Darnold could flame out catastrophically in Chicago, his arm talent coming out of USC is why he was considered the top quarterback prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Scouting Report. QB. Jameis Winston. player. 15. Pick Analysis. New Orleans Saints. 3
This is the boom-or-bust move worth swinging for the fences over
Up to this point, most of these quarterbacking options instead of Wentz involve a potential boom-or-bust scenario. This is all about assessing risk. While immaturity and accuracy issues led to his undoing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signing Jameis Winston in his free agency could be a spectacular move for the Bears. It would also make the New Orleans Saints significantly worse.
Like Mariota, Winston is a fellow Heisman Trophy winner. He went a pick ahead of him in the 2015 NFL Draft. Though neither got a second contract with the team that drafted him, Winston at times was able to play like a top-10 passer in the league. Oh, he will get you yardage and touchdowns, but he will also throw more than his share of picks. This would be like getting Jay Cutler again.