The Chicago Bears hosted former quarterback Trevor Siemian for a free agent visit on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Siemian, a seventh-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2015, saw starting time from 2016-17. But since his departure from Denver, he’s served mostly in reserve role during stints with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.
While there’s certainly no quarterback controversy involving starter Justin Fields, perhaps it could be an indication that Nick Foles’ future is up-in-the-air. Foles, who is currently Fields’ backup, is slated to have a $10.67 million cap hit in 2022.
Free agent visits today included:
Texans: Marlon Mack
Bears: Trevor Siemian
Falcons: Genard Avery
Raiders: Vernon Butler— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 22, 2022
It wouldn’t make a lot of sense for the Bears to simply release Foles, as it would cost $7.67 million in dead money and free up just $3 million in cap space. It would be cheaper simply to keep him on as a viable backup to Fields.
But trading Foles is another story. If Chicago could find a partner, trading Foles would free up $8 million in cap space while costing just $2.67 million in dead money by comparison.
Last season, former general manager Ryan Pace tried to deal Foles to no avail. But there were also reports that the Bears were trying to send Foles somewhere he’d prefer rather than simply dealing him to free up cap space, given he was making over $10 million as the third-string QB.
Already, Poles has shown that he’s nothing like Pace in taking attachments off the table. Ultimately, Foles doesn’t have a no-trade clause, which means he can’t dictate where he goes. If Poles can find a suitor – and perhaps even get a comparable draft pick in return – it would certainly be a win.
