The Chicago Bears have named Mitchell Trubisky as their starting QB for Week 1 against Detroit Lions, according to Adam Schefter.
The decision is surprising based on the moves made by general manager Ryan Pace this past offseason. The front office appears to be sending mixed messages after a series of contradictory activities in the last few months.
Just one year before the previously mentioned trade, the Jaguars gave Foles a contract with the most guaranteed money in the franchise’s history. However, it appears the tide has turned in Chicago throughout the offseason and now camp.
Trubisky has fallen far short of expectations after being selected 2nd overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. To add insult to injury, the Bears selected Trubisky before two very talented quarterbacks.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Patrick Mahomes at 10th overall after trading up with the Buffalo Bills. The Texans then selected Deshaun Watson two picks later with the 12th pick. After winning the Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP award, Mahomes signed the largest deal in NFL history.
Watson has not had the same sort of success due to the dismal situation that is the Houston Texans. However, his talent is undeniable and he will reportedly receive a contract comparable to Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.
Trubisky has been nowhere close to those two in any statistical category. A year after making the playoffs in 2018 and showing promise, Trubisky significantly regressed. He had a below-average 17-10 touchdown to interception ratio, and the Bears missed the playoffs.
The Bears have the odds stacked against them in the NFC North this year. The Packers still have a strong offensive trio of Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and Aaron Jones. The Vikings are also a threat as Kirk Cousins and company will look to make another run at the division after finishing 2nd at 10-6 last season. The Bears would have to significantly outperform expectations to have a chance of finishing first or second in the division this season.
However, the Bears have improved Trubisky’s situation from last season. On top of Foles, the Bears added tight ends, Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet.
Graham is a veteran, 5 time Pro Bowler in the league and finished last season with 38 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns. Kmet, the Bears second-round pick out of Notre Dame, is athletic and a solid blocker in the passing game. Both Kmet and Graham should be reliable targets for the shaky Trubisky.
The Bears also added the veteran receiver Ted Ginn Jr. from the Saints and made some key additions, including edge Robert Quinn and cornerback Artie Burns. An improved defense should help give Trubisky and the offense better field position on more than a few occasions.
Trubisky is lucky to be getting one more chance, and he’ll need to prove to the Bears front office that he is the franchise quarterback they thought they drafted three years ago.
