With Jason Campbell signing a rare (for this offseason) two-year deal to compete for the starting job in Cleveland, the Bears are now left without security at the most important position in all of sports.

While most fan attention is situated in the middle of the offensive line, my attention is here. To the best of my knowledge the franchise quarterback still has a history of concussions to pair with his penchant for holding the ball too long/refusing to throw it away. Yes, Phil Emery has added two terrific perimeter blockers in hopes of keeping #6 upright. Yes, Aaron Kromer will make the health of the QB his priority. Yes, Marc Trestman will institute a precision-based, timing route passing game that involves far less of the Martz/Tice “wait in the pocket and chuck it” approach. But even with all these changes on the offensive side of the ball, history tells us it is fair to believe Cutler will not play every down at quarterback for the Bears in 2013.

Where will the Bears turn? Might they be interested in a player like Colt McCoy? Will Carson Palmer’s desire to play for a contender lead him to accepting vet minimum (while collecting a ton from Oakland) to stand behind Cutler? Do the Bears believe McCown or Blanchard are good enough to hold down the fort should the moment arise? Would Emery use a pick in the first few rounds on a quarterback?

Guards are important, sure. But the absence of a top quality guard will not keep a football team from winning double-digit games and being in contention for the postseason. The 2012 Bears were a prime example of this. Backup quarterbacks are not important until they’re called upon. The absence of quality one can send a season plummeting into the seventh dimension of Satan’s layer. For illustration of this, the 2011 Bears are the poster boys.

With Jason Campbell signing a rare (for this offseason) two-year deal to compete for the starting job in Cleveland, the Bears are now left without security at the most important position in all of sports.

While most fan attention is situated in the middle of the offensive line, my attention is here. To the best of my knowledge the franchise quarterback still has a history of concussions to pair with his penchant for holding the ball too long/refusing to throw it away. Yes, Phil Emery has added two terrific perimeter blockers in hopes of keeping #6 upright. Yes, Aaron Kromer will make the health of the QB his priority. Yes, Marc Trestman will institute a precision-based, timing route passing game that involves far less of the Martz/Tice “wait in the pocket and chuck it” approach. But even with all these changes on the offensive side of the ball, history tells us it is fair to believe Cutler will not play every down at quarterback for the Bears in 2013.

Where will the Bears turn? Might they be interested in a player like Colt McCoy? Will Carson Palmer’s desire to play for a contender lead him to accepting vet minimum (while collecting a ton from Oakland) to stand behind Cutler? Do the Bears believe McCown or Blanchard are good enough to hold down the fort should the moment arise? Would Emery use a pick in the first few rounds on a quarterback?

Guards are important, sure. But the absence of a top quality guard will not keep a football team from winning double-digit games and being in contention for the postseason. The 2012 Bears were a prime example of this. Backup quarterbacks are not important until they’re called upon. The absence of quality one can send a season plummeting into the seventh dimension of Satan’s layer. For illustration of this, the 2011 Bears are the poster boys.