INDIANAPOLIS -- The Bears are locked in with Jay Cutler as their franchise quarterback, but Chicago's general manager said Thursday that the team wouldn't be opposed to drafting a rookie signal-caller if backup Josh McCown signs with another team.
"We're open to drafting any position that would help us," Phil Emery told Around The League, noting that the Bears have a lot to accomplish with the "pool of money available" to them.
Re-signing McCown is something the team would like to get done this offseason, but the seven-year, $126.7 million deal they handed Cutler leaves a limited amounted of greenbacks for the position.
Besides, we expect the Bears to have competition for McCown on the heels of his out-of-nowhere stellar campaign this past season. He's an attractive target for teams looking for a quick-fix stopgap under center, despite our belief that he'd struggle away from Trestman's quarterback whispering.
The Oakland Raiders loom as a logical fit for McCown, but the passer did say last month that his "heart is in Chicago."
If they ultimately lose the 34-year-old passer, it would be fascinating to see Chicago draft a young prospect for Trestman to groom from day one. East of Jim Harbaugh, we can't think of a better teacher for an incoming signal-caller.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" discusses controversial draft prospects Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney and reviews the offseason forecasts for the St. Louis Rams and Carolina Panthers.