There Is Fear The Chicago Bears Have One Glaring Roster Hole
The Chicago Bears have done an excellent job rebuilding their roster over the past two years. GM Ryan Poles reloaded every position with Pro Bowl-caliber talent. For the first time since probably 2019, this feels like a team that should make the playoffs. However, no roster is perfect. Most of them have one or two flaws that must be worked around. The Bears are no different. If you ask most fans, they will say the edge rusher spot opposite Montez Sweat is a concern. The same could be true for the depth at defensive tackle.
However, experts and people inside the league see a different problem. Aaron Schatz of ESPN pointed it out. For all the attention on the defense, not enough people are talking about the situation behind Caleb Williams.
Roster hole: Quarterback depth
Caleb Williams is the No. 1 pick and has huge potential. He had better live up to it — and stay healthy — because the Bears don’t have much else to go to if Williams can’t play. Tyson Bagent, last year’s backup, started four games but played essentially at the replacement level. Brett Rypien was awful in his one start for the Rams last season (130 passing yards and an interception) and wasn’t very good in three years for the Broncos before that.
It is a fair concern. Between the two of them, Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien have eight total starts. That doesn’t feel like the type of stability or experience you want sitting behind a rookie quarterback. What makes it worse is the pair have thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in their careers.
The Chicago Bears have to consider adding experience.
Bagent and Rypien are hard workers, but neither of them has anything to offer Williams aside from typical backup duties. Teams often use the tactic of signing a veteran quarterback who can teach a younger guy some of the inside tricks of the NFL in these situations. Houston did that when they acquired Case Keenum last year. He was a big influence on C.J. Stroud’s outstanding rookie season. The Bears have to consider doing something similar for Williams. For all his talent, the NFL is a different animal.
Two names stand out as possibilities. Former Pro Bowler Ryan Tannehill remains available. He started 151 games in his career and reached an AFC championship. He might hold out for a starting opportunity, but he’d make a perfect backup. The other is Brian Hoyer. He’s been a #2 with several teams over his long career. In that time, he’s played behind guys like Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. He even spent a year in Chicago in 2016. His 16 years of experience would be a massive boon for a young quarterback.
Perhaps the Chicago Bears want to see what they have before making any changes. Much of this could depend on what new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron thinks.