Identifying teams in need is just one aspect of succeeding in NFL trades; recognizing your own valuable assets is equally important.
As the November 5 trade deadline approaches, the Denver Broncos should acknowledge that they have not one but two quarterbacks—Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson—who possess starting experience and could attract interest from other teams.
While the Broncos need to retain one of these backups to support rookie starter Bo Nix, it’s challenging to differentiate between them based on performance metrics or field play, which may make Stidham the more appealing option for potential trades.
Stidham has been a dependable backup for six seasons across three teams and might be viewed as a more attractive asset compared to Wilson. Teams still vying for playoff contention and facing quarterback issues could find Stidham appealing, even if his performance hasn’t significantly outshined Wilson’s.
One possible trade partner is the Chicago Bears, who appear to be a playoff contender but are currently sitting at 2-2 with starting quarterback Caleb Williams. Despite Williams’ struggles, the Bears could benefit from a veteran backup should Williams face injury or underperform. Their current backup, Tyson Bagent, has shown inconsistency in his four starts in 2023.
The Bears also have a wealth of future draft picks, including eight for 2025, making them an attractive trade option. Acquiring a mid-round pick for Stidham would represent a solid return on the two-year, $10 million contract he signed prior to the 2023 season.
Williams Faces Challenges Ahead
Although it’s still early in the season, the Bears are likely aware of the remarkable performance of Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, just behind Williams. Daniels is already playing like an MVP candidate, helping the Commanders to a 3-1 start while setting NFL records.
In contrast, Williams has struggled significantly. In the Bears’ attempt to stretch the field in a 21-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3, he completed 33 of 52 passes for 363 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. In the other three games, he hasn’t surpassed 200 passing yards and has accumulated three touchdowns against four interceptions, with a completion rate of just 61.7% and a quarterback rating of 72.0, ranking him 30th out of 32 starting quarterbacks.
Bears May Regret Their QB Decision
If the Bears ultimately realize they chose the wrong quarterback in the first round by selecting Williams over Daniels—who they will face on October 27—it could evoke unwelcome memories for Chicago fans.
In 2017, the Bears made headlines by selecting North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky with the second overall pick, bypassing Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes, who went to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 10 and has since won three Super Bowls in his first six seasons as a starter.