Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
What picks do the Bears have in the 2021 NFL Draft?
Larry E.
Gering, Nebraska
The Bears have five of their seven picks in the 2021 draft (and will choose 20th in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) as well as a seventh-round selection they obtained from the Dolphins in exchange for tight end Adam Shaheen. They traded their fourth-round choice to the Vikings during the 2020 draft to pick outside linebacker Trevis Gipson in the fifth round and dealt their seventh-round pick to the Raiders in exchange for kicker Eddy Piñeiro. During his end-of-season press conference, general manager Ryan Pace said the Bears expect to have eight draft picks, which I assume means that he anticipates the NFL awarding the Bears two compensatory selections based on a net loss of free agents.
Who will be the top free agent quarterbacks available this offseason?
Dan B.
Oklahoma
Pro Football Focus ranks seven quarterbacks with expiring contracts ahead of Bears incumbent Mitchell Trubisky on its list of the NFL's top 100 free agents to be. Here's their list with overall player ranking regardless of position in parenthesis: (1) Dak Prescott, (14) Philip Rivers, (18) Ryan Fitzpatrick, (29) Jameis Winston, (34) Cam Newton, (35) Andy Dalton and (51) Tyrod Taylor. In case you are wondering, Mitchell Trubisky is ranked 66th on their list.
How many dropped passes did the Bears have this season? I don't recall that being too much of an issue this year. Am I right?
Greg D.
Pennsylvania
Yes, you are correct, Greg. According to STATS, the Bears dropped 12 passes during the 2020 season, the second-fewest in the NFL behind the Cardinals (9). The Cowboys led the NFL with 31 drops, followed by the Steelers (30), Lions (26), Falcons (24), Chiefs (24) and Buccaneers (24).
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.
