Last spring, the Bears left many fans and analysts scratching their heads as they picked up three starting-caliber quarterbacks: Mike Glennon, Mark Sanchez and 2017 second overall draft pick Mitch Trubisky. In the wake of Jay Cutler's painfully average 51-51 career in eight seasons as Chicago's starter, the team was expected to make big moves at the quarterback position. When they signed Glennon to a three-year, $45M contract on March 7, 2017, most thought that that was the solution for the meantime.
Then, the team signed journeyman Mark Sanchez to a one year deal. That, too, made sense, as good backups are a premium in today's NFL. Then, the Bears took everyone to Bizzarro World. They traded up for the second overall pick and drafted relatively inexperienced gunslinger Mitch Trubisky out of The University of North Carolina.
There began the downfall of Glennon.
Glennon the starter
Glennon was named the Bears' starter from the first day he was signed. Though he did not have much experience beyond the 13 games he played his rookie year in Tampa Bay, he would serve as a mentor to the young Trubisky, who only had 13 career college starts under his belt at the time.
He would start as long as he could to give the young gun more practice reps at NFL speed. Sanchez still makes no sense in this dynamic, but after years of watching the organization making bonkers moves, I generally give them at least one mulligan each year. Glennon started and finished his career in Chicago in spectacularly mediocre fashion. In four starts, he racked up three losses, 833 yards passing with four touchdowns and five interceptions, three fumbles, and a QB Rating of 76.9. Finally, after their 1-3 start, the Bears decided to start the rookie.
What happens now?
Glennon never played another second of game time for the organization. On February 28, 2018, GM Ryan Pace announced that the Bears will be releasing Glennon once the league year begins on March 14.
The move opens up $9 million in cap space for the Bears, giving them more room to wheel-and-deal this offseason. With both Glennon and Sanchez gone, Chicago must look to find a new backup for expected franchise quarterback Trubisky.
Glennon and Sanchez must also look for jobs. Glennon, at 28 years old, is still a relatively marketable player. Prior to Chicago, he started 18 games for Tampa Bay from 2013 to 2014. In his four year career, he has thrown for 4,933 yards and has 34 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Standing at 6'6", he is also the physical archetype that many offensive coordinators look for in a QB prospect. Depending on how the upcoming quarterback shuffle in free agency and the draft goes, Glennon could very well find himself in another starting role for a transitional team.
Though he was brought in to essentially be the face of the Bears' tank, Glennon was a fan-favorite, and honestly, did exactly what was asked of him: be there until Mitch is ready.