Chicago Bears: Realistic expectations for Mitchell Trubisky
By David Mamola
The future is very bright for Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, so don’t worry too much if he struggles early on.
After months of speculation, John Fox and the Chicago Bears have finally announced rookie Mitchell Trubisky will start at quarterback. Trubisky, who was drafted second-overall in this year’s draft, will make his long-awaited debut against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. Fans have been clamoring for the young signal caller to start for weeks, and the wait is finally over.
Trubisky was terrific in the preseason, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns. He did not turn the ball over, and compiled an excellent quarterback rating of 106.2. He averaged 6.9 yards per attempted throw, nearly a yard longer than Mike Glennon has averaged through the first four games. Trubisky displayed excellent mobility, escaping pressure with ease and using his legs to run for first downs (9.6 yards per carry).
If you listen to sports talk radio in Chicago, you’ll hear a wide-variety of opinions, ranging from “he’s the next Aaron Rodgers” to “he’s the next Cade McNown.” So, what can we really expect from Trubisky this season?
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There are going to be growing pains, as every young quarterback experiences them. He’ll look great on some plays and so-so on others, and that’s okay. No one should expect him to look like Tom Brady right from his first start. Fans see Deshaun Watson’s success in Houston and want Trubisky to duplicate it, but that’s unfair to Trubisky. Watson is throwing to DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller; Trubisky will be throwing to Kendall Wright and Josh Bellamy.
Every situation is different, so comparing rookie quarterbacks is not the right thing to do. What the Bears want to see from Trubisky is awareness in the pocket, accuracy on his throws, and athleticism that allows Dowell Loggains to expand the playbook (i.e. moving pockets, bootlegs, etc.). It’s also assumed that Trubisky’s presence on the field will create a spark for the team, and this should be pretty obvious if it’s happening or not on Monday night.
The upcoming schedule for the Bears is daunting, particularly the defenses that they will face. The team’s next four opponents — Minnesota, Baltimore, Carolina, and New Orleans — are all allowing fewer than 20 points per game (yes, even New Orleans is) and rank amongst the league leaders in sacks. It’s a schedule that wouldn’t be a cakewalk for a veteran quarterback, let alone a rookie who only started 13 games in college.
Trubisky is going to be a very good player in this league for a long time. Barring injury, the Bears should be set at the quarterback position for years to come. Trubisky has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback and within the next couple of years, should be the first Bears quarterback to make the Pro Bowl since Jim McMahon did in 1985.
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Trubisky will have his ups and downs in 2017. Have realistic expectations for him, and don’t worry too much if he struggles early on because the future is extremely bright for him.