One Less QB Adds to Value of Bears Pick

The game of veteran quarterback musical chairs resumed in full Monday as Derek Carr was reported by numerous sources as being on the verge of an agreement with the New Orleans Saints.

It's a move with an impact on Bears prospects for a draft trade.

The Carolina Panthers had been among teams in the running for Carr after he parted ways with New Orleans. With Carr unavailable now, it's likely Carolina will focus on the draft.

It might have already been obvious they would go in this direction as Carolina owner David Tepper is already on record several times as wanting a long-term solution to the team's quarterback problems.

Indy & Carolina both need to identify the QB prospect they want & do what it takes to move up & get him. I don’t think patience is your friend right now with so many QB needy teams out there. Bears can issue a buy now price for that pick & I believe one of these 2 will pay it.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 6, 2023

With a report by Peter King saying Bears GM Ryan Poles was confident he could get first-round picks in 2024 and 2025 in exchange for the first pick, the Panthers come to mind as the potential trade-down partner because a team picking from back at No. 9 would be expected to give up more in a trade with the No. 1 team.

Beyond this Carr going to a team without a first-round pick means more teams in the draft are still looking for quarterbacks. The increased demand for that position means a higher Bears asking price.

The #Saints & Derek Carr agreed on a 4-yr deal for $150M with $100M in total guarantees, per me & @MikeGarafolo. He gets $70M effectively fully guaranteed ($60M at signing, another $10M in Year 3 vesting after Year 1). Carr structures his deal to accommodate Saints’ cap issues. pic.twitter.com/vs6qaBh7rg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2023

If Carr had signed with one of the teams in the draft market for quarterbacks it would have dealt a blow to Bears chances.

The next veteran up now in this musical chairs situation is Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' decision on what to do with him. This one obviously impacts not only the Bears' draft situation but also next season's games.

If Rodgers winds up in Las Vegas, the Raiders would not necessarily be in the market for a rookie quarterback and a trade up out of No. 7.

Also undecided is what happens with San Francisco free agent Jimmy Garoppolo and whether the Ravens retain Lamar Jackson.

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