It’s been a long few months for Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Since the official league year began, he’s seen his team acquire quarterback Nick Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade and decline his fifth-year option, ensuring 2020 is his final season under contract as a Bear.
Amidst this wild offseason, Trubisky has remained silent until Friday afternoon when he met reporters for a press conference. A lot came out of the media session and I had quite a few reactions to what he said about this upcoming season, as well as the 2019 season.
Here are my takeaways from Trubisky’s press conference.
1. Trubisky is mad – and that’s a good thing
I vividly remember hearing Trubisky’s phone call with general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox back in 2017 when he was drafted. The Bears second-overall pick sounded like a little kid who was thrilled he was picked first for dodgeball in elementary school when Pace traded up to select him. Who could blame him? He had a wonderment to him, someone who felt a little green and saw nothing but potential in the pros.
Now, three years later, Trubisky appears to be hardened by the harshness of the NFL. He admits he was “pissed off” about the Foles trade, albeit in a good way, and knows his pro future hangs in the balance of the 2020 season after regressing in his third year. This is a side of Trubisky we really haven’t seen yet and it could bring out the best in him when practices begin again.
2. His press conference had some Mike Glennon vibes
While I was happy to hear Trubisky has a fire under him with Foles coming to town, I did have a brief flashback to 2017 when quarterback Mike Glennon, the Bears “prized” free agent acquisition, spoke after the team drafted Trubisky. “This is my year,” Glennon stated, confidently believing that 2017 squad was his team. And it was – for just four games. Flash forward three years and Trubisky said something similar. “I still feel like this is my team,” he said.
Perhaps I’m reading too much into his answers but that statement feels like the kiss of death at this point. Head coach Matt Nagy did say Trubisky will get the first crack at the job and he has been working with numerous teammates over the last few weeks. But there’s something about that quote that doesn’t sit well with me.
3. Trubisky deflected some blame for last season’s struggles
The age-old adage for professional athletes is no matter how bad your team struggles, always take responsibility when speaking to the media. Trubisky didn’t necessarily do that on Friday when asked about last season’s issues.
“It had to do with health and lack of details on offense,” Trubisky said.
He could be referring to himself when speaking about health, as he basically missed two full games dealing with a separated shoulder. But it sounds like he’s talking about other offensive players who weren’t healthy. Former right guard Kyle Long, who has since retired, wound up on injured reserve after Week 5 and right tackle Bobby Massie missed the last portion of the season.
Trubisky may have been talking about the tight end position, which truly was decimated by injuries. Still, it’s not a great look for a team captain. As for the details comment, it’s unclear what he meant but everyone and their brother could tell he and Nagy weren’t on the same page when it came to the offense.
4. He knows he’s got a lead on the starting job
Given the unique circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, Trubisky confirmed what many already felt: He has the upper hand on Foles for the time being.
“I think because it’s a small sample size, the advantage goes to me,” Trubisky said when talking about the starting position. Because of no organized team activities (OTAs) and the fact Trubisky is the incumbent starter, he has a clear advantage over Foles, who has yet to formally meet most of his teammates.
By the look of it, Trubisky is doing everything he can to maintain that connection with his teammates by working out with them multiple times a week on his own.
Bears running back Tarik Cohen spoke yesterday about those practices, saying Trubisky looks great and that he’s “not going to waver.” Foles doesn’t really have that opportunity yet. When the official workouts begin, Trubisky wants those connections to shine and hopes it will go a long way in Nagy’s decision to choose a starter.
5. Foles vs. Trubisky will be a true QB competition
It’s been the topic of discussion since quarantine began: Foles or Trubisky? I’ve been on record saying both players will see significant time this season for one reason or another, but many have already anointed Foles the starter before the players have even taken the field.
Yes, the Bears did surrender a fourth-round draft pick for him, but does that automatically dictate his spot atop the depth chart? Both Foles and Trubisky speak very highly of each other publicly and have said this will be a healthy and competitive competition.
“We’re gonna have a great relationship, it’s been going really well,” Trubisky said of Foles. “From the conversations I’ve had with him, it’s been positive.”
Both players bring something to the table and neither of them should be counted out. It’s going to be quite an interesting training camp.
