The Chicago Bears are one of many teams that could be in the market for a new starting quarterback for the 2021 season. The Bears have a strong defense that can win some games, but the offense leaves something to be desired. Could Ben Roethlisberger be a potential option for Chicago?
Depending on what happens with Allen Robinson will determine just how attractive a landing spot Chicago is for quarterbacks. Without Robinson, the Bears have arguably the weakest group of wide receivers in the league.
Retaining Robinson should be near the top of their to-do list this offseason, along with landing a quarterback. One player to keep an eye on is veteran Ben Roethlisberger.
Pro Football Network named the Bears as a potential trade destination for Roethlisberger if the Steelers were to trade him.
Roethlisberger has spent his entire 17-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but their time together may be coming to an end. Big Ben has a $41.25 million cap hit for the Steelers and it is going to be a difficult decision on if they want to pay him that. If they ultimately decide to part ways, the Bears have been named a potential landing spot for the two-time Super Bowl winner.
While Roethlisberger’s arm strength is diminished now at 38 years old, he showed that he can still be productive when needed. He threw for 3,803 yards and 33 touchdowns this season with only 10 interceptions. Throwing only 10 interceptions while attempting 608 passes is an impressive feat, even with the Steelers’ offense predicated on the short passing game.
The Bears would also provide Roethlisberger with a strong running game, something the Steelers sorely lacked during the 2020 season. David Montgomery had a breakout season, dominating the final six weeks of the regular season with 598 yards and seven touchdowns. Pittsburgh’s leading rusher, James Conner, ran for 721 yards all season and the team scored only 12 times on the ground.
A strong defense and run game are what any team needs with Ben Roethlisberger under center in 2021. The Bears would provide that, but if they don’t upgrade their pass-catching weapons this offseason, it won’t matter who is under center.
