Chicago Bears: Quarterback Situation Could Be Better With Orlando Brown

The Chicago Bears want to improve their quarterback situation. If they have an offensive lineman like Orlando Brown, they can do it without giving up the farm.

We all know the Chicago Bears are desperate to find a quarterback. They are linked to just about every quarterback available (and some who are not available). In over 100 seasons in the NFL, Chicago hasn’t had even a handful of very good quarterbacks to lead the team. Despite that, the Bears had a lot of success.

Things are different now, however. The NFL became a passing league and in order for a team to succeed it needs a proper quarterback. That player doesn’t have to be a lights out player with a cannon arm, but one who can manage the offense and make the proper plays. They lacked that with the quarterbacks general manager Ryan Pace brought onto the roster.

With back-to-back 8-8 seasons and five losing seasons in his six years as general manager, Bears ownership gave Pace one last chance to turn things around. He is in a “win now” situation. He is now desperate to find his guy again so he could save his job.

Pace should consider another move to improve the quarterback situation

Something came up recently that could greatly help the Chicago Bears. Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Orlando Brown wants out. Brown was Baltimore’s third round pick in the 2018 draft. He made the Pro Bowl in two of his three seasons. He started out at right tackle and did a great job.

When Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens’ starting left tackle, went down with a severe ankle injury, Brown took over and excelled. Now Brown wants to be a left tackle. The problem with that is that Stanley signed a five-year contract extension for $112 million ($70 million guaranteed) early in the 2020 season. He’s the starting left tackle for the foreseeable future.

As a result, Brown wants to leave Baltimore.

This gives the Bears an opening. They could trade for Brown and really solidify the offensive line. Late in the season, the coaching staff found a great combination of linemen that worked well. The biggest improvement came on the interior of the line. The guards, Cody Whitehair on the left, and Alex Bars on the right, and center Sam Mustipher did a great job of protecting the quarterback and opening holes for running back David Montgomery. Despite having some struggles in the middle of the season, Montgomery still managed to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in 2020.

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Adding Brown to the offensive line gives the Bears a really tough line again. They have a decision to make at both tackles. In order for the team to free up salary cap space, they need to cut bait with one or both of their tackles.

Bobby Massie missed most of the season with an injury but he performed well when he was playing. Charles Leno, the left tackle, struggled again. The Bears save themselves $9 million. Brown makes $750,000 so that frees the team up to improve other positions. Yes, Brown would then be up for a big payday for 2022, but the salary cap should be a lot higher then.

Having a solid offensive line gives the Bears more choices at quarterback. They can still go after big targets like Deshaun Watson, but a better line opens up other, more economical options. For example, they can acquire Ryan Fitzpatrick and draft their future quarterback. Fitzpatrick has shown that he works great with young quarterbacks who eventually replace him. He can make big plays and his teammates love him. He’d be a good bridge quarterback.

With an improved line and Montgomery playing well, Chicago could become an attractive destination for a good quarterback. Who would’ve thought that could happen?