In 2020, the Chicago Bears showed interest in signing quarterback Tom Brady during his free agency period, as confirmed by Bears chairman George McCaskey. Brady himself revealed that the Bears had been discreet in their recruitment efforts, a story he shared during the Fox broadcast of a Week 4 game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At that time, the Bears were coming off a lackluster season with Mitchell Trubisky as their quarterback, and the team was exploring various options to improve the position.
McCaskey acknowledged the team’s pursuit of Brady, though he personally was not involved in the recruitment pitch. He stated that while the Bears were interested, things didn’t work out in their favor, but they certainly worked out well for Brady, who went on to win a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCaskey emphasized that in situations like free agency, teams don’t rely solely on one option and must have multiple alternatives prepared in case their primary target, like Brady, doesn’t pan out.
After failing to land Brady, the Bears pivoted and traded for quarterback Nick Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2020. Foles, who had previously won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, became the team’s solution for that season. Despite these efforts, the Bears continued to face challenges at the quarterback position, which set the stage for future changes.
Fast forward to the present day, McCaskey is now focusing on the development of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who was drafted first overall. McCaskey expressed his optimism for Williams, describing him as having an “irrepressible spirit” and credited the Bears’ coaching staff for creating an environment where the young quarterback could succeed. Protecting Williams from the distractions that come with being a starting quarterback in Chicago was a priority for the organization.
As the Bears prepare to host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6 of the current NFL season, McCaskey and the team are hopeful that their new structure and support system will help Williams thrive in his role. The game is scheduled to take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking a significant moment in Williams’ early career as he leads the team in a high-profile international game.
