1. Trade for Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
Jimmy Garoppolo will likely be the most-pursued QB in the offseason by teams looking to build around a young quarterback. Although we have fairly small sample size to draw from, Garoppolo has shown all the traits necessary to have sustainable success. In his regular-season game action this year (two-plus games), he played extremely well in most areas, but most notably under pressure, where he was first among QBs in passer rating, at 106.0, and third in adjusted completion, at 73.3 percent, through the first three weeks. His ability to play within the structure of the offense—as well as create—make the former Eastern Illinois product Chicago’s best option.
Garoppolo is under contract with New England through the 2017 season, so this would obviously have to happen via trade. The Patriots will have a decision to make for the future, and it might not be all that easy. Tom Brady is showing no signs of slowing down—his arm and movement skills at 39 years old are perhaps better than ever. It’s also tough to let a guy like Garoppolo go; although he will likely never be Tom Brady, he appears to be everything you would hope to have in a QB when Brady finally does retire. The 14-year age gap is substantial, but it’s still hard to see Brady going anywhere soon.
The Bears could get in a bidding war for Garoppolo with a team like the Browns, who have plenty of ammo with draft picks heading into the offseason. The price could be steep—likely a first rounder and another early-round pick—but worth it for a Chicago team searching for a long-term answer. Pursuing Jimmy Garoppolo makes the most sense, not to mention a perfect fit for what Dowell Loggains has shown he likes to do in his first year as offensive coordinator.