Bears land former Super Bowl-winning quarterback in proposed preseason trade

The Chicago Bears have never had a true franchise quarterback. They desperately hope that finally changes in 2024.

After drafting former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 National Football League Draft, the Bears believe they have the quarterback position solved for at least the next decade. Now, they have to shift their attention to developing him into a winner.

First, the Bears had to decide if Williams would start from day one, which they did before he even put on a uniform. But instead of a veteran behind him on the depth chart to act as an extra quarterbacks coach, the Bears currently have second-year undrafted free agent Tyson Bagent as their backup.

If the Bears are indeed seeking a mentor, one football writer believes there's a veteran quarterback buried on a depth chart elsewhere that could make sense.

In a trade proposed by Bleacher Report's Alex Kay, the Bears would receive former Super Bowl champion quarterback Joe Flacco from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.

"Having a veteran backup on hand to assist in Williams' development could be a major boon for the Bears," Kay said. "Someone like Joe Flacco, who has Super Bowl experience and a wealth of experience to draw on from an NFL career that began all the way back in 2008, could expedite Williams' emergence as a superstar."

Flacco, 39, has not been a full-time starting quarterback since 2018 when he was supplanted by a rookie Lamar Jackson. But he has managed to start at least one game every season since and shockingly led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs with a 4-1 record down the stretch last year.

Given that the Bears have high expectations for Williams to lead them into the future, Flacco's role would be one of mentorship, plus an insurance policy if an unfortunate injury to Williams occurred. But is a sixth-round pick worth paying to find Williams that mentor?

Ultimately, there's no way to know if Chicago is considering a trade unless they come out and say so. But if the Bears' goal is to find a teammate for Williams who has been to the top of the mountain, it's hard to imagine anyone better than Flacco.

More NFL: Bears disappointing playmaker 'could move before deadline,' per insider