Chicago Bears: Grading the early 2018 free agency moves

Chase Daniel, Quarterback (Two years, $10 million)

At the start of the new year, the Bears released quarterback Mike Glennon. With Trubisky the face of the franchise now, having a big bucks backup didn’t make sense. As soon as they were able, they cut their ties. Mark Sanchez was another backup. He was charged with mentoring Trubisky through his rookie season. Now he’s out as well.

The Bears needed a backup quarterback to not only step up in a pinch but also to continue mentoring the young quarterback. Pace put his job on the line for Trubisky, and he’s given him the world so he could succeed. That’s a lot to put on the shoulders of a youngster.

The Bears went out and got someone who knows his role — to backup and help Trubisky’s development. Chase Daniel has ties to Bears coaches and front office people. He played three seasons in Kansas City when Nagy was the quarterbacks coach. Also, he spent time in New Orleans when Pace was in the personnel department.

For his part, Daniel knows why he’s in Chicago (per the Chicago Tribune):

"Your number one job in that room is to get the starter ready, no matter what because that’s a hallmark for me of a good quarterback. Whatever it takes, whatever the starter wants to do, you have to conform to that. I’ve been with a lot of different guys who do things a lot of different ways."

The thing with Daniel is that we better hope that Trubisky doesn’t go down. In 8 seasons, Daniel completed 51 passes for 480 yards and just 1 touchdown. Hopefully, the only thing Daniel does is mentor. There were other viable options but the familiarity with Pace and Nagy won out. The deal can be terminated after this season, so a one-year, $7 million isn’t too bad a deal.

Grade: B-