It will go down as one of the greatest mysteries in the tenure of general manager for Ryan Pace. We all know how the 2017 NFL Draft went as Pace traded up one spot, giving away a few draft picks to land a quarterback which was much-needed for the franchise. However, with a 66% chance of getting it right, Pace winded up picking the wrong quarterback.
Instead of taking Patrick Mahomes or DeShaun Watson, the Bears ended up with Mitch Trubisky in that draft as Pace got it wrong. Okay, we know that part. But now the biggest mystery continues to be why Pace didn’t even interview or spend more time with Watson, a prospect out of Clemson that ended up with Houston.
Last year the Chicago Tribune wrote a fantastic article on Pace’s evaluation of all three quarterbacks and revealed that the Bears didn’t have a meeting with Watson in the predraft process but did attend his Pro Day at Clemson. A glaring mistake made by a guy who could have altered the face of this franchise for years to come. The article was put out ahead of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs coming to Solider Field, a game they would win easily against the Bears.
Now, with Watson set to face off vs. the Bears for the first time in his career, the quarterback was asked about why he he though the Bears didn’t evaluate him thoroughly.
“I have no idea,” Watson said Wednesday, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “No, it’s no motivation. It’s what the organization went with.” For those fans of course they’re going to say something about it. They did what they did. No motivation.”
Despite the Texans entering this game with a 4-8 record, Watson has been good again in his fourth year in the league. He’s thrown for 3,452 yards, 24 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions on the year.
Get ready Bears fans, Sunday is going to be tough to watch..