Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
I know that it's likely for the Chiefs to resign Eric Berry to a long-term deal. However, in the unlikely scenario that Berry is available, could you envision the Bears signing him and then also drafting Jamal Adams to create the most feared backend in the NFL?
Jose C.
Orlando, Florida
Bears general manager Ryan Pace has vowed to bolster the secondary with playmakers this offseason and the two players you mentioned are the top safeties with expiring contracts (Eric Berry) and in the draft (Jamal Adams). So I'm sure that Pace and his staff will thoroughly evaluate both players. But like you said, I just can't imagine the Chiefs not signing Berry to a long-term extension. He's a complete safety who has had two very good seasons since beating cancer in 2014. Adams, meanwhile, was a physical impact player at LSU, where he was named first-team All-American. The good news for the Bears is that NFL analysts are reporting that there's quality depth in the draft in the secondary. So even if Berry and Adams don't become Bears, there seems to be other options to upgrade the position.
Can you think of any quarterback that went from being a backup with one team to an All-Pro starter with another team? I can't. There are a ton of backup quarterbacks that become successful starters. However, none of these guys change teams. So I don't think that Jimmy Garoppolo is the answer, especially if it's going to cost the Bears a first-round pick.
Maurice
Jacksonville, Florida
I agree that there haven't been a ton of quarterbacks who've gone from a backup with one team to a successful starter with another. But it's important to consider that promising young quarterbacks rarely if ever switch teams, and when they do it's usually because the original club has a future Hall of Famer as their starter. Like Tom Brady for instance. Another example is Matt Hasselbeck, who spent his first three seasons as Brett Favre's backup with the Packers before becoming a three-time Pro Bowler with the Seahawks. I have no idea what type of career Jimmy Garoppolo is going to have, but I don't think that the past history of other quarterbacks provides any indication either.
Which Bears player has rushed for the most yards in a post-season game?
Frank L.
Elmhurst, Illinois
Thomas Jones holds the Bears record for most yards rushing in a playoff game with 123 yards (and two touchdowns on 19 carries) in a 39-14 win over the New Orleans Saints in the 2006 NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field. Jones followed two weeks later by rushing for 112 yards on 15 attempts in a 29-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI.
