The era of Mike Glennon is upon us, Bears fans.
Per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Chicago Bears have agreed to a deal with Glennon for 3 years/$43.5 M ($14.5M) to likely be the Bears’ Week 1 starter at quarterback this upcoming season.
When Mike Glennon’s deal is finalized with #Bears, it’s expected to be 3 years for an average of $14.5M, source says. Will still draft a QB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
Details of the contract have yet to be finalized.
For those still not familiar with Glennon, the former 2013 3rd round pick has played in 21 games (18 starts) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has thrown for 4,100 yards, 30 TDs, 15 INTs, with a completion percentage of 59.4% and a QB rating of 84.6.
After getting a chance to start in 2013 and 2014, he lost his job to Josh McCown in 2014 and subsequently became the backup to 2015 #1 overall pick Jameis Winston.
To be fair, however, his struggles were likely also linked to a revolving door at offensive coordinator as well as a subpar offensive line and average receivers rather than him just being a poor quarterback. So it’s perfectly possible that, with a solid interior offensive line, a determined rushing attack led by Jordan Howard, and a receiving corps that includes Alshon Jeffery, Glennon can enjoy some success here.
QB Mike Glennon — Notes from his game tape. The positives + areas of concern that must be developed. #Bears pic.twitter.com/6vtZIHOQjp
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 9, 2017
I watched all 630 of Mike Glennon's pass attempts & I think I actually understand what the #Bears are thinking here: https://t.co/soOltrLm2z
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 8, 2017
Regardless, it does appear that the Bears intend to use a draft pick—likely a 1st- or 2nd-round pick—on one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class.
Though the Glennon signing adds some stability to the QB room with Jay Cutler expected to be released and Brian Hoyer signing a 2-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Bears don’t use the #3 overall pick at the position. However, the more likely scenario seems to be trading back into the late 1st-round/waiting until pick #36 to make their move.
As such, Glennon is shaping up to be a bridge to the Bears’ future (hopeful) franchise quarterback, unless he proves he deserves consideration for that role himself.
Therefore, the amount of guaranteed money and language in the contract will be telling. If most of the guarantees are lower and early in the contract and the rest of the deal is loaded with incentives (somewhat similar to the Jay Cutler contract), the Bears will have opportunity to cut Glennon relatively early if he does not work out/the Bears hit on the quarterback they want.
One way or another—with Glennon and Connor Shaw under contract and an extremely high likelihood of drafting at the position—the Bears’ quarterback situation just got a little bit clearer.
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