Promising USFL Player Warrants Consideration by the Chicago Bears
The smart play in football, as the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots have repeatedly shown us, is to continually invest in the quarterback position. This holds true even when a team already boasts one of the NFL's top QBs. The Chicago Bears have taken a different route in recent decades, making a significant commitment to one quarterback and then settling for less expensive veteran backups with minimal success elsewhere in the league. This is an approach that General Manager Ryan Poles should reconsider.
While there's no question that Justin Fields is the Bears' starting quarterback, thanks to his standout performance last season, his aggressive playing style does raise concerns about his durability. As a result, it would be wise for the Bears to put more resources into strengthening their backup options. The signings of P.J. Walker and undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent reflect some progress in this direction, but the team could benefit from a little more competition. This is where Alex McGough, the reigning USFL MVP and Birmingham Stallions champion, comes into the picture.
The Bears should seriously consider McGough.
Of course, the level of competition in the USFL can't be compared to the NFL, but that didn't stop the Bears from signing Walker, who had previously made a name for himself in the XFL with the Houston Roughnecks. If Walker can make the transition, there's no reason McGough can't. After being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 7th round of the 2018 draft, McGough spent a few years bouncing around the league without many chances beyond practice squad roles. He made the decision to join the USFL in 2022.
McGough quickly made his mark as the Stallions' starting quarterback. Over the course of 12 regular season and playoff games, he threw for 2,658 yards and 28 touchdowns, while only surrendering five interceptions. He also made a name for himself as a runner, rushing for 551 yards and six touchdowns. Standing at 6'3", McGough is a versatile, dual-threat player known for his accuracy as a passer, although he has faced criticisms about his arm strength. Regardless, he's been able to find success. Before another team scoops him up, the Bears should certainly give McGough a serious look.
| POLL | ||
2 JUILLET | 78 ANSWERS Promising USFL Player Warrants Consideration by the Chicago Bears SHould the Bears sign another backup QB? | ||
| Yes | 46 | 59 % |
| No | 32 | 41 % |
| List of polls | ||
