2024 NFL Offseason and Draft Thread

[Herman Cain]

Sounds like Bears are waiting for Cousins and Mayfield situations to play out
https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/10/bears-preaching-patience-when-it-comes-to-potential-justin-fields-trade-free-agency/

[Jockey]

The only reason they are waiting is cuz they got no offers.

It’s not a strategy.

[HutchwasClutch]

Given how bad Lawrence was to close the season, I can see why London took a shot bringing Jones in

Mac Jones is awful. 

[Uncle Rico]

Mac Jones is awful.

He’ll fit in well with the Jaguars

[Pakuni]

Mac Jones is awful.

Maybe. Hard to tell given the sh*tshow he had to work with the past two years.
He was a bit above average as a rookie

[Herman Cain]

Excellent pick up for Jags . Get solid back up Quarterback . Trevor Lawrence style of play makes him susceptible to injury.  Also Jones going to his hometown.

https://nypost.com/2024/03/10/sports/patriots-trade-mac-jones-to-jaguars-to-end-three-year-run/amp/

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-grades-patriots-unloading-former-first-rounder-for-late-pick-jaguars-landing-qb-for-cheap/amp/

[Uncle Rico]

Excellent pick up for Jags . Get solid back up Quarterback . Trevor Lawrence style of play makes him susceptible to injury.  Also Jones going to his hometown.

https://nypost.com/2024/03/10/sports/patriots-trade-mac-jones-to-jaguars-to-end-three-year-run/amp/

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mac-jones-trade-grades-patriots-unloading-former-first-rounder-for-late-pick-jaguars-landing-qb-for-cheap/amp/

Jones is from London?

[Jockey]

Maybe. Hard to tell given the sh*tshow he had to work with the past two years.
He was a bit above average as a rookie

It’s funny that Bears fans talk about how bad the coaches were for Fields. Now people are blaming the ‘greatest coach ever’ for Jones’ failures.

[Pakuni]

It’s funny that Bears fans talk about how bad the coaches were for Fields. Now people are blaming the ‘greatest coach ever’ for Jones’ failures.

Not sure what point you're trying to make here.
In his rookie season, Jones ranked 13th in passing yards, 8th in completion percentage, 12th in pass success rate, 14th in yards per attempt, 14th in TDs, 15th in passer rating and 16th in QBR. By virtually ever measure, he was a slightly above average NFL quarterback. And he was light years ahead of the rest of the rookie class (Lawrence, Wilson, Lance and Fields).

Then he was given a defensive coordinator for his offensive coordinator and special teams coach as his QB coach. They let go of his #1 receiver and replaced him with a guy who is literally the worst in the league at creating separation.
The results were entirely predictable.
Mac Jones may not be a good QB. But he hasn't had a chance to show it the last two seasons.

[Lennys Tap]

It’s funny that Bears fans talk about how bad the coaches were for Fields. Now people are blaming the ‘greatest coach ever’ for Jones’ failures.

Belichek was the greatest defensive coach ever. Offense? Not that involved. He doesn’t get much credit for Brady or much blame for Jones - nor should he.

Eberflus is also a defensive coach. Fields has had multiple OCs and quarterback coaches in his 3 year career - that can’t help. If all he’s worth on the open market is a 3rd rounder (or less) I wouldn’t trade him even if  the Bears are committed to taking Caleb. Start Fields until Caleb is ready - maybe an entire year. Worse case you have 2 decent QBs next year if/when 1 goes down.

[Uncle Rico]

Belichek was the greatest defensive coach ever. Offense? Not that involved. He doesn’t get much credit for Brady or much blame for Jones - nor should he.

Eberflus is also a defensive coach. Fields has had multiple OCs and quarterback coaches in his 3 year career - that can’t help. If all he’s worth on the open market is a 3rd rounder (or less) I wouldn’t trade him even if  the Bears are committed to taking Caleb. Start Fields until Caleb is ready - maybe an entire year. Worse case you have 2 decent QBs next year if/when 1 goes down.

Zero and I mean zero chance the Bears have Justin Fields and Caleb Williams on the roster together

[Uncle Rico]

Baker back to Tampa. 

[Pakuni]

Eberflus is also a defensive coach. Fields has had multiple OCs and quarterback coaches in his 3 year career - that can’t help. If all he’s worth on the open market is a 3rd rounder (or less) I wouldn’t trade him even if  the Bears are committed to taking Caleb. Start Fields until Caleb is ready - maybe an entire year. Worse case you have 2 decent QBs next year if/when 1 goes down.

This plan guarantees an unnecessary quarterback controversy, potentially splits the locker room and ensures you get nothing for Fields when he walks in 2025.

[Lennys Tap]

This plan guarantees an unnecessary quarterback controversy, potentially splits the locker room and ensures you get nothing for Fields when he walks in 2025.

Mahomes didn’t start as a rookie. Neither did Brady, Rodgers or Favre. Lots of other great ones too, I’d bet. And (imo) sometimes QBs who start from day 1 and aren’t ready never reach their potential. The Bears might be pretty good next year. What if Caleb’s not ready or he gets hurt? Wouldn’t Fields be worth more as an insurance policy than a late pick who may not even make the team?

[GB Warrior]

Mac Jones getting a 6th rounder doesn't bode well for the Bears. RB market is depressed right now.

[Uncle Rico]

Mahomes didn’t start as a rookie. Neither did Brady, Rodgers or Favre. Lots of other great ones too, I’d bet. And (imo) sometimes QBs who start from day 1 and aren’t ready never reach their potential. The Bears might be pretty good next year. What if Caleb’s not ready or he gets hurt? Wouldn’t Fields be worth more as an insurance policy than a late pick who may not even make the team?

Then you sign Jimmy Garoppolo or someone like that to start.  Zero chance Fields is on the roster with Williams

[Pakuni]

Mahomes didn’t start as a rookie. Neither did Brady, Rodgers or Favre. Lots of other great ones too, I’d bet. And (imo) sometimes QBs who start from day 1 and aren’t ready never reach their potential. The Bears might be pretty good next year. What if Caleb’s not ready or he gets hurt? Wouldn’t Fields be worth more as an insurance policy than a late pick who may not even make the team?

Mahomes was behind Alex Smith, who had gone to the Pro Bowl the previous season and led the Chiefs to a 12-4 record and division championship.
Rodgers was behind Favre.
Brady a 6th round pick backing up Drew Bledsoe.
Favre was a second round pick backing up Chris Miller (who went to the Pro Bowl that year).
All those guys were later picks backing up successful, veteran QBs. You want to sit the #1 overall pick to keep one of the league's worst QBs on the field.

Keeping Fields around as an insurance policy is not better than a third-round pick. What are you insuring ... another 7-win season?
If you need a backup/insurance policy, there are plenty of options: Brissett, Darnold, Minshew, Tannehill, Mariotta, etc.

[WhiteTrash]

Then you sign Jimmy Garoppolo or someone like that to start.  Zero chance Fields is on the roster with Williams

Correct, zero chance. Both QBs will be pissed and the Bears would be rightfully burried by everyone (except by Packer fans).

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

This plan guarantees an unnecessary quarterback controversy, potentially splits the locker room and ensures you get nothing for Fields when he walks in 2025.

Yeah, it's a terrible idea. Which doesn't mean the Bears won't go this route however.

[Herman Cain]

Mahomes was behind Alex Smith, who had gone to the Pro Bowl the previous season and led the Chiefs to a 12-4 record and division championship.
Rodgers was behind Favre.
Brady a 6th round pick backing up Drew Bledsoe.
Favre was a second round pick backing up Chris Miller (who went to the Pro Bowl that year).
All those guys were later picks backing up successful, veteran QBs. You want to sit the #1 overall pick to keep one of the league's worst QBs on the field.

Keeping Fields around as an insurance policy is not better than a third-round pick. What are you insuring ... another 7-win season?
If you need a backup/insurance policy, there are plenty of options: Brissett, Darnold, Minshew, Tannehill, Mariotta, etc.

Minshew is my favorite backup/Insurance policy. The price is right and he can perform at a reasonable level if called on, has demonstrated  leadership abilities with his teammates where-ever he has played.

[Lennys Tap]

You want to sit the #1 overall pick to keep one of the league's worst QBs on the field.

According to NFL.com’s QB rating index Field’s was the 13th best performer in the league on the field last year. Not my rating, perhaps they’re way off.

But you just spent an entire paragraph defending Mac Jones and his ability as an NFL QB. He’s a middle of the pack guy sabotaged by his coaches and his situation. And yet he only drew the slightest interest from 1 team and netted merely a 6th round draft choice in trade. He won’t cause any controversy where he’s going, he won’t be dividing the locker room. Despite your high opinion of him, he’s going to Jacksonville as a back up.

If that’s the case, why would one of the worst QBs in the league bring more than a 6th rounder in a trade? Or cause a controversy in the locker room?

[Lennys Tap]

Zero and I mean zero chance the Bears have Justin Fields and Caleb Williams on the roster together

I don’t disagree. The Bears will basically give Fields away to avoid it. I’m just not sure that’s wise.

[Pakuni]

According to NFL.com’s QB rating index Field’s was the 13th best performer in the league on the field last year. Not my rating, perhaps they’re way off.

20th, actually.
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-qb-index-ranking-all-66-starting-quarterbacks-from-the-2023-nfl-season

Also, 22nd in passer rating; 23rd in QBR; 25th in EPA/dropback; 22nd overall/25th passing in PFF.
So, a bottom third QB any way you look at it.
The Bears should pass on a potential franchise-altering quarterback to keep a guy who - according to the most generous ranking - slots between Geno Smith and Russell Wilson.

But you just spent an entire paragraph defending Mac Jones and his ability as an NFL QB.

I mean, I literally wrote "Mac Jones might be bad."
Quite the high praise.

The lockerroom controversy I was speaking of could occur if the Bears keep Fields.

[Pakuni]

Russ to the Steelers seems like a #donedeal

[WhiteTrash]

Russ to the Steelers seems like a #donedeal

Denver news reporting it is #donedeal.