One game isn’t enough to define an NFL quarterback, but rookie Caleb Williams had a mixed performance against the Tennessee Titans last week. This inconsistency has prompted the Chicago Bears to consider investing in a veteran backup for at least a year.
The ideal candidate is Ryan Tannehill, a former Pro Bowler and the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2019. Tannehill led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game that season, although they were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tannehill guided Tennessee to the playoffs in the following two seasons and completed a four-year, $118 million contract with the team last year. He lost his starting role to Will Levis after suffering an ankle injury that kept him out for several weeks.
Spotrac estimates Tannehill’s market value at $7.7 million this season. With one game already played, the Bears, who are currently 1-0, have struggled offensively. Williams completed only 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards, with the defense and special teams contributing the majority of the team’s 24 points.
While there’s no immediate indication that the Bears should or will bench Williams, having a mentor with NFL experience could be beneficial. If Williams were to get injured, the team currently has only Tyson Bagent as a backup. Additionally, Williams’ performance in Week 1 suggests that the Bears might need to consider removing him from a game or two this season, similar to how the San Francisco 49ers pulled MVP candidate Brock Purdy during a rough outing against the Baltimore Ravens late last season.