Thanks—good listen.
It’s fear-based philosophy that will keep the Bears from even trying for greatness, but good listen.
Here’s the deal: A lot of people advocating for “THE HAUL!!” are just assuming all those picks will turn out great. They’re doing the same thing they accuse the Williams supporters of doing.
1) Many of them are assuming you’ll get Marvin Harrison, Jr, plus two future first rounders. There’s almost no possible way that happens. If you trade down far enough to get 2 future 1st rounders, that’s too far down to get MHJ. If you only trade down a spot or two, that’s probably not far enough down to gather 2 future 1st rounders.
2) They’re assuming “THE HAUL!!” is “franchise making”. Let’s play this out: The Bears trade down to, say, the high single digits/low double digits and get 2 future 1st rounders. They use those picks on a DT, an edge rusher and, ok fine, a receiver (I have my doubts).
Fast forward a few years when you actually see the fruits of those picks, using THE BEST CASE SCENARIO. You have a great, young, developing DT, edge rusher and receiver. Meanwhile, by this point, you’re paying Fields $40 million a year, you’ve let JJ go because he’s getting too expensive, and you’re taking offers on DJ because he’s also getting expensive and you already have his young great replacement on your team.
^^Does any of this bring you into Super Bowl contention? Or does it just create a mediocre-team cycle?
And mind you, this is the best case scenario. The more likely scenario is “THE HAUL!!” a few years down the line turns into a couple of good players and a couple of busts. Nice haul. Was it worth it? Meanwhile you’re having to watch Stroud kill it in Houston and Williams potentially killing it in Washington or New England.
You still have a mediocre quarterback who’s 3rd or 4th in your division, but hey, at least you’re 9-8 and didn’t have to take a risk!
Bottom line: “THE HAUL!” is not the guarantee some people think it is. Neither is Williams. I acknowledge that. But I’d like my team to try instead of always being scared.
We’ve seen this team in recent years have all world defenses, Hall of Fame linebackers, All-Pro edge rushers, an offense full of skill position Pro Bowl playmakers.
And where has it gotten them?
You know what they haven’t had? A great quarterback.
I want a great quarterback.
