The Chicago Bears and Jay Cutler are not exactly happy with one another. The team underachieved badly in 2014 by going just 5-11 and the whole buyer's remorse fiasco did not help. It's clear that the relationship between the franchise and the quarterback is contentious at best.
While all signs point toward Cutler suiting up and starting for the Bears in 2015, a curveball could always be thrown into the mix. Chicago would be foolish not to consider a quarterback at some point in the upcoming NFL draft. And, who knows, maybe that QB will come in the early rounds.
"If [Marcus] Mariota is there at No. 7, I'm taking him," ESPN's Mark Dominik wrote. "I have him as the best prospect in this draft. You talk about the risk with him transitioning from that offense at Oregon to the NFL - and there's definitely a big adjustment there - but it's going to be easier to figure him out over the course of the next several weeks than it will be to figure out [Jameis] Winston and whether you can trust him off the field. And Mariota has some really great tools to work with: size, mobility, arm strength and good intangibles."
One problem with this scenario is that Mariota is not expected to fall to the Bears at seven. ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft has the Jets snagging him just one pick before. If the Bears suddenly fall in love with Mariota and decide they must have him - and remember, there is a new GM and head coach in town that did not hitch their wagon to Cutler - they could consider trading up somewhere into the top five for him.
"If the Bears believe Cutler is not the long-term solution at the position )and possibly seek a trade for him or an outright release at some point this offseason or next), quarterback becomes their highest priority," NFL Insider Field Yates wrote. "...If the Bears believe either quarterback prospect could vault it back into the NFC North equation as soon as next year, they could trade up..."
Will the Bears ultimately go this route? Probably not. But it is an enticing option to consider.
