3 Most Likely Veteran QBs the Bears Will Acquire to Challenge Mitch Trubisky

The Chicago Bears appear to still be under the delusion that Mitch Trubisky is a franchise quarterback, as evidenced by the fact that GM Ryan Pace has already declared him the starter. However, Chicago will almost certainly bring in an experienced veteran backup to push him at training camp -- or even challenge him for starting job, much like Tennessee successfully did with Ryan Tannehill last season. With that in mind, these three veteran options would make solid QB2s in Chicago that could eventually leapfrog Trubisky in time.

3. Case Keenum

Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum / Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Case Keenum seems to switch teams every single season, and he could be on his way out of Washington after just one year. The record-setting college passer and undrafted free agent threw 11 touchdowns against five picks in 2019, and the Redskins won just one of his eight starts. If you look up "capable veteran backup" in the dictionary, however, you'll find a picture of Keenum. He'd be a quality reserve option that could light a fire under Trubisky.

2. Andy Dalton

Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Even the notoriously loyal Mike Brown appears to have had enough of Andy Dalton. In his ninth year as the starter in Cincinnati, Dalton went 2-11 while throwing 14 interceptions against just 16 touchdowns. Dalton's days as a starter are clearly over, but that doesn't mean his pro career is. Dalton could be a perfect bridge quarterback if the Bears pack it in with Trubisky, or he could serve as a capable veteran backup.

1. Marcus Mariota

Tennessee Titans QB Marcus Mariota / Silas Walker/Getty Images

Like so many other quarterbacks in this league, Marcus Mariota falls into the category of guys who are too talented to be a No. 2 guy, but not talented enough to be a franchise quarterback. Mariota wasn't playing awful football when Ryan Tannehill took the reins, and he is a prime candidate to bring his career back from the dead elsewhere, just like Tannehill did. A team that is ready to win now like Chicago coached by an offensive mind in Matt Nagy, who likes to use his quarterback in the running game, seems tailor-made for a guy like Mariota.