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| Bears in search of a backup QB to Jay Cutler. Photo credit: USATSI |
Currently the Bears have three quarterbacks behind Jay Cutler on the roster with Jordan Palmer, Jerrod Johnson and David Fales.
The Bears offense doesn’t have too many questions to answer this year. But the biggest question they do face is who will backup Jay Cutler in 2014. Head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery have said they want to keep three signal callers on the active roster this coming season.
In 2013… If you count both the preseason and the regular season, the Bears had a total of five reserve quarterbacks. During the preseason –aside from Cutler being the obvious starter- the Bears had initially had Josh McCown and Matt Blanchard as the backups.
When Blanchard went down with a hand injury halfway through the exhibition phase (he was eventually released with an injury settlement), Jordan Palmer and Trent Edwards were added to the mix. On the day of final cuts, the Bears decided to keep only two passers with Cutler and McCown.
Despite being released, Palmer and Edwards were told that one of them would get the call if there was ever an injury. Because both men were no longer eligible for the practice squad, and because the Bears wanted to develop a young gunslinger, Jerrod Johnson was signed to practice roster just before the regular season began.
When Cutler went down with his ankle and groin injuries midway through the season (thrusting McCown into the starting role where he had the best season of his career), Palmer was brought back into the fold.
When Cutler came back from the injured list, the Bears coaching staff adjusted the roster so Palmer can remain on board. As the Bears get ready for the upcoming OTAs, there have been some changes with the position.
Jordan Palmer is still around and is the front runner to be the No. 2 behind Cutler. Jerrod Johnson was signed to a reserve/futures contract in December and took part in last week’s rookie mini-camp. There’s also rookie David Fales, the Bears 6th round draft pick this year. Then there is former Northern Illinois Quarterback Jordan Lynch.
Granted Lynch was signed as an undrafted free agent to play running back, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he got a few reps under center in practice. Heaven forbid there’s another injury, maybe Lynch could get a shot at QB if that were to happen.
So here is what each man brings to the table. With Palmer, many critics always point to the fact that he’s only thrown 15 NFL passes. But what some don’t realize is that Palmer has consistently found himself on a pro football roster (NFL, Arena Football League, United Football League) since 2007.
I would think that Palmer has learned something about surviving in this game after all these years. As for Johnson; while he does have athletic ability and a fairly decent arm, he has yet to prove himself. Johnson is a career practice squad player, but this year he is no longer eligible for that designation.
Being a rookie, Fales has the most to prove. The 5,000-plus yards he threw for at San Jose State was great, but now he has an uphill climb ahead of him. He has to adapt to a pro offense, learn how to take snaps from under center and navigate his way through a crowded depth chart.
Palmer has the most to lose. He needs to take his experience and abilities to the next level to head off the younger competition. It’s active roster or bust for Johnson, Phil Emery is very high on Fales, while Lynch can play the position if called upon.
This will be the most interesting position battle this summer. Follow me on Twitter @GabeSalgado82