The Chicago Bears have their future at quarterback after drafting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. While his rookie year wasn't what a lot of people expected in terms of high expectations, it was still a good season for the former USC standout.
Going into the 2025 free agency period, the Bears won't need a starting quarterback and that's a good thing as it's a really weak class. This free agent class is headlined by Sam Darnold who played well for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025. Darnold is likely getting a huge payday somewhere thanks to that big 2025 campaign.
While Chicago isn't going to be in the market for a starter, they could look at addressing the backup position. Former undrafted quarterback Tyson Bagent has been the backup the past two seasons for the Bears and it's clear that they are comfortable with him. But could Chicago look to add a veteran to the quarterback room? It won't make sense to add that veteran presence and help out both Williams and Bagent in terms of development and having that voice in the room.
The only problem is, there aren't a lot of options.
Chicago isn't going to spend big money on a quarterback, nor should they, so that rules out some options like Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson. They won't be bringing back Justin Fields either, so for this article, we won't include them.
As free agency begins in two weeks, let's look at the options the Bears could have if they wanted to add a veteran to their quarterback room and why it does or doesn't make sense.
Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? Sign up now to get access to everything publisher Zack Pearson and the entire Bear Report team have to offer on all things Chicago Bears and access to the No. 1 site covering the team!
The veteran quarterback started last season for the New England Patriots before Drake Maye took over. The 32-year-old has nine years of experience and if the Bears want to bring in a veteran, he could be the top option.
It doesn't sound like Brissett will command a lot of money as a free agent and he could be valuable not only helping Caleb Williams but in case there's an injury he can come in and provide his experience. Still, it doesn't seem super realistic that the Bears go with Brissett here. Brissett is going to look for a spot where he can compete but if he doesn't get that in the market, a top backup option is ideal for him.
Another veteran that is set to be a free agent is Marcus Mariota. He spent last season with the Washington Commanders, backing up rookie Jayden Daniels while helping the quarterback develop. Mariota is a smart quarterback that offers value being in that quarterback room and can come in and play if needed to.
The 31-year-old Mariota has 10 years of experience and has spent time with Tennessee, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington. He has thrown for over 16,000 yards and has 97 touchdowns and 55 interceptions. He also has 2,158 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns in his career.
It's doubtful that Mariota goes anywhere else but Washington as a return to the Commanders and having that consistent voice in the quarterback room makes sense for that franchise.
The 40-year-old Flacco has expressed his interest in playing again in the 2025 season, a year after a rocky season with the Indianapolis Colts. Flacco joined the Cleveland Browns in the middle of the 2023 season, helping lead them to the playoffs.
At this stage in his career, Flacco is set up for being a backup with the chance to play if there is an injury. There's a small chance he could sign somewhere and compete, especially if it's a spot with a rookie quarterback. If the Bears do want a veteran in their room, Flacco honestly makes a lot of sense. He has years of knowledge and would be a good veteran voice for Caleb Williams in his second season.
The other positive is that he wouldn't cost a lot in terms of the salary cap.
An Illinois native, Jimmy Garoppolo could end up back in his home state as he's set to hit free agency this offseason. Garoppolo is 33 years old and spent last season with the Los Angeles Rams backing up Matthew Stafford.
It's unlikely he gets a job as a starter so he's going to be looking for that backup role here in the 2025 season. With 11 years of experience, Garoppolo has some value as a veteran presence in the offense and working with a young quarterback. Most of his experience comes with Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay over the course of his career.
Jameis Winston
The quarterback found a role with the Cleveland Browns a year ago and that experience was pretty much what his career has been — up and down. Winston doesn't make a lot of sense to add to this quarterback room.
Carson Wentz
A former No. 2 overall pick, Wentz spent last season as the backup to Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a good spot for him to land as his days as a starter are likely over. Would the Bears consider bringing him in as a viable option as a backup?
Cooper Rush
Rush has pretty much spent his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys since entering the league in 2017. He's been the backup to Dak Prescott but has played in games while Prescott was hurt. Rush has thrown for 3,463 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his career. He's not a quarterback that you're going to rely on for a full season as a starter but he has experience and has worked with Prescott.
Drew Lock
The former Denver Broncos first-round pick is the youngest player on this list at age 28 and his days as a starter are likely over in the NFL. He will be looking for a backup role and as a free agent in 2025, he should get some looks.
This article originates on BearReport.
College football's 10 programs with most NFL All-Pro selections since 2000: Miami, SEC heavyweights lead pack
These NFL pipelines have the ultimate bragging rights this century.
The NFL owes a big "thank you" to a handful of college football programs for developing some of the game's biggest stars since 2000. Eleven schools have had players make 30+ NFL All-Pro teams over the last 25 seasons, and three — including Miami and LSU — have 40+ to their credit. Some of the top 10 college programs fueling NFL greatness since the turn of the century are still going strong in present day, while others have taken a significant step back in recent years.
Aaron Rodgers at Cal and the Watt brothers at Wisconsin helped place the Golden Bears and Badgers among programs with more on-field success. Despite his impressive tenure at Georgia over the last nine years, just two players Kirby Smart recruited to Athens as head coach have made an All-Pro team.
In case of ties in the total number of All-Pro nods among teams in our top 10, we deferred to the program with more first-team selections. For this reason, Texas A&M missed the cut. The Aggies tied Florida State with 44 All-Pro selections but had 14 with first-team honors compared to the Seminoles' 16.
RELATED (VIP): Brian Dohn's five football recruiting storylines to watch as 2026 class heats up
Here are the top 10 college football programs that can boast producing the most NFL All-Pros since 2000:
10. Florida State Seminoles
Total All-Pros: 31 | First-Team: 16 | Second-Team: 15
Offensive tackle Walter Jones bolstered Florida State's All-Pro numbers with four first-team and a pair of second-team nods during a Hall of Fame run with the Seattle Seahawks in the early 2000s. Since then, the Seminoles program has produced a number of the game's brightest stars, including Anquan Boldin, Antonio Cromartie, Rodney Hudson and Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey and former FSU teammate Derwin James have combined for seven All-Pro selections. Ramsey is one of four active defensive backs with three or more first-team nods.
9. Wisconsin Badgers
Total All-Pros: 32 | First-Team: 20 | Second-Team: 12
J.J. and T.J. Watt established themselves as one of the best bloodlines in NFL history over the last 15 years. J.J. made five First-Team All-Pro and two Second-Team appearances during his likely Hall of Fame career, while T.J. is closing in with four first-team and two second-team nods. However, neither has as many All-Pro selections as legendary offensive tackle Joe Thomas, who ranks among the greatest linemen in NFL history with eight total appearances (six first-team, two second-team). Running backs Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Taylor are among the notable Badgers who made an All-Pro team in the 2000s.
8. Texas Longhorns
Total All-Pros: 33 | First-Team: 19 | Second-Team: 24
Kicker Justin Tucker has quietly had one of the best NFL careers of any former Texas player, leading all Longhorns in the 2000s with eight All-Pro nods, including five first-team selections. Safety Earl Thomas was among the best defensive backs of his generation and made three first-team and two second-team appearances during a nine-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks. It's been a few years since a Longhorn has made an All-Pro team, but running back Bijan Robinson is trending towards putting his name on the list after making his first Pro Bowl appearance this season.
7. California Golden Bears
Total All-Pros: 35 | First-Team: 15 | Second-Team: 20
Cal has finished above .500 just three times in the past 15 years but was competitive under Jeff Tedford for the bulk of the early 2000s. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers chipped in five All-Pro nods to the Golden Bears' impressive total, while former offensive linemen and teammates Mitchell Schwartz and Alex Mack have combined for seven. Edge rusher Cam Jordan earned three nods and headlines a list of other notable Cal All-Pros, including Jared Goff and Marshawn Lynch.
6. Oklahoma Sooners
Total All-Pros: 35 | First-Team: 17 | Second-Team: 18
Some of the greatest offensive linemen of the century called Norman home during their collegiate careers. Arguably, none were better than tackle Trent Williams, who earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2015 before earning three straight first-team selections from 2021-23. Lane Johnson is also amid a likely Hall of Fame career with two first-team and three second-team nods and a pair of Super Bowl titles with the Philadelphia Eagles. Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey also has a pair of Super Bowls and earned his First-Team All-Pro in 2024, following a second-team selection in 2022.
5. Tennessee Volunteers
Total All-Pros: 37 | First-Team: 24 | Second-Team: 13
Tennessee leads all SEC programs with 24 First-Team All-Pro nods since the start of the millennium. Hall of Famer Peyton Manning accounts for a big portion of those. He made 10 total All-Pro teams during his illustrious career, taking home seven first-team nods in the 2000s and making three second-teams (1999, 2000, 2006). Legendary defensive back Eric Berry earned First-Team All-Pro honors three times, while Cordarrelle Patterson established himself as one of the most decorated return men of all time with four first-team nods and three second-team selections from 2013-20.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
Total All-Pros: 38 | First-Team: 20 | Second-Team: 184. Alabama Crimson Tide
Six national championships this century do not happen without scores of elite individual talents. Former Alabama players have earned a whopping 13 All-Pro nods since the start of the 2020s alone. The Crimson Tide boast three first-team All-Pros on the 2024 roster in safety Xavier McKinney, cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Patrick Surtain II. Running back Derrick Henry earned second-team honors, his fourth All-Pro appearance. Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of four active defensive backs with three or more First-Team All-Pro selections.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
Total All-Pros: 44 | First-Team: 18 | Second-Team: 26
Georgia fielded its fair share of NFL talent in the two decades before Kirby Smart elevated the program to elite status. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins leads all former Bulldogs with five All-Pro nods. Shutdown cornerback Champ Bailey earned four first-team selections over the last quarter-century to lead all former Georgia players. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter and tight end Brock Bowers became the first Smart recruits to earn an All-Pro nod, earning second-team honors in 2024.
2. LSU Tigers
Total All-Pros: 44 | First-Team: 22 | Second-Team: 22
Iron sharpens iron, and it's hard to find a better producer of NFL talent at wide receiver and defensive back than LSU over the last quarter-century. Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu were among the best defensive backs of the 2010s, with three First-Team All-Pro selections apiece. Safety Jamal Adams chipped in three with a first-team nod in 2019 and second-team appearances in 2018 and 2020. Rising cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. earned his first All-Pro nod this season. Four LSU wide receivers have made All-Pro since 2000, including first-team honors for Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in 2024.
1. Miami Hurricanes
Total All-Pros: 54 | First-Team: 26 | Second-Team: 28
How good was Miami in the early 2000s? The Hurricanes have had just one NFL All-Pro over the last seven seasons (Calais Campbell, 2017) but are still 10 clear of second place. A large percentage of the program's All-Pros played for its legendary 2001 team, which had 38 players drafted into the NFL who earned 43 Pro Bowl nods between them. Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis has the most selections of any former Hurricanes player with seven. Six of those All-Pro appearances followed the turn of the century.
