3 quarterbacks Bears can acquire when they whiff on Russell Wilson

Chicago’s best bet of fixing their quarterback problem is through the NFL Draft. For the first time in two years, the Bears finally have a selection in the first-round. The issue is that they own the 20th-overall pick.

Trevor Lawrence will be the next starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Zach Wilson, Justin Fields and Trey Lance could all be taken off the board in the top-ten. That leaves Alabama’s Mac Jones, the Bears’ best chance of taking a signal caller in the first-round.

Jones stepped into the college football spotlight in 2019 after Tua Tagovailoa suffered his season-ending hip injury. One season later, Jones solidified himself as being one of the top quarterbacks at the collegiate level. In 2020, Jones threw for 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions on a 77.4 completion percentage. As a result, Jones finished third in Heisman Trophy voting, losing out to teammate DeVonta Smith. Jones truly opened eyes in the National Championship Game, where he completed 36-of-45 passes for 464 yards and five touchdowns against Ohio State.

The hype surrounding Jones increased at the end of the college football season during his Senior Bowl workouts. Additionally, Tagovailoa compared Jones to a “more mobile Tom Brady,” and even ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. compared Jones’ game to the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

These high expectations could work against the Bears, because Jones’ stock is skyrocketing. While Chicago could hope and pray that the Alabama signal caller falls to them at No. 20, they may have to trade up past the likes of the New England Patriots and Washington Football Team to draft him. Jones is Chicago’s only hope if they want to start anew with a young quarterback.