Simms: bears are unlikely to replace Mitch Trubisky with Deshaun Watson

With Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace advancing with the team, the next biggest question for the Bears this offseason is quarterback. More importantly, will the team bring back Mitchell Trubisky?

As it stands, Nick Foles seems locked in the roster after the Bears traded for him in the last offseason. But Trubisky is a free agent, and Sunday Night Football’s Chris Simms believes the Bears could sign him to a friendly deal for the team if they so choose.

“No one is going to break down the doors and say, ‘We have to sign Mitchell Trubisky to a $ 30 million a year deal,'” Simms told NBC Sports Chicago.

But it doesn’t make much sense for the Bears to pay save money for two QBs, especially since they have limited space to play for a starter. Simms agrees that Trubisky is unlikely to return to Chicago, but wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s the right move.

“I’m not necessarily sure I agree with that, totally,” Simms said. “Understand it fully. I just think Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace are going to exhaust all avenues to bring someone else in.

So if it’s not Trubisky, then who? Deshaun Watson is certainly the liveliest option after news that he is unhappy in Houston is released. He is also by far the most talented.

“Watson is special, but you’re going to have to hand over the farm to get him,” Simms said. “It’s just something you’re going to have to be prepared to do. You’re probably going to have to give three first-round picks in the draft, and maybe other things to go with it. It will be something of this nature to get Deshaun Watson. I don’t envision that happening, I don’t.

The most likely ways the Bears can find their next quarterback are through draft and free agency. Whichever route bears decide to take, they will also have plenty of choices.

“There are a few options in the project,” Simms said. “I think there are five guys in that first conversation. You’re not going to have Trevor Lawrence. Chances are, you won’t get Justin Fields unless you trade. More than likely, you won’t get BYU guy Zack Wilson unless you trade or do something like that. So that leaves the child (Trey) Lance from the state of North Dakota, and then the child from Alabama (Mac Jones). Do you want to go this route? This is something the bears are going to have to understand.

“Then the free agency road, listen, we don’t know what’s going to happen yet. We do not know. But we know there are exciting possibilities. Look, if I take power in Atlanta, I go from Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. What are we supposed to hang on to so that we can try to replace them in two or three years? Now let’s go and get started. The Detroit Lions, I would do the same with Matt Stafford and all that too. He could be there. The Jets with Sam Darnold. Jimmy Garoppolo could be available … there will be many ways to find a guy.

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