It has been a season of uncertainty and incredibly high stakes for Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky, and that pressure peaks this week with a win-and-in game against the Packers.
There’s more on the line than just the Bears’ playoff hopes. The future of several key members of the organization could hinge on this game, especially Trubisky. He should be used to that feeling by now. It’s been there ever since the Bears traded for Nick Foles and declined his fifth-year option.
But now it’s all down to one game. If he plays well, it signifies that perhaps the last few weeks weren’t a mirage and sets him up to re-sign with the Bears or get a decent opportunity else where. If he flops, it’ll be I-told-you-so all over again. His future, including millions of dollars, could swing dramatically on this game.
It’s hard to predict which way Trubisky will go, but he’s ready. To his credit, he has faced these consequences all season and put his team on the brink of the playoffs. He’s a lot of things, but scared isn’t one of them.
“Everything I’ve experienced this season has just made me stronger and a better person and player,” he said Wednesday. “Just what I’ve had to deal with and everything we’ve had to overcome as a team, to see where we’re at now, it gives you confidence.
“All the distractions and everything you have to deal with throughout the season and playing within a pandemic, it does make you mentally stronger as a person. And you’re able to deal with a lot more.”
As for the Bears at large, they can get in the playoffs by beating the Packers. They’d be eliminated if they lose and the Cardinals win.
The last time Trubisky played in games with comparable stakes to this was late last season when the Bears entered December 6-6 and desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Trubisky responded with an outstanding performance against the Cowboys, throwing three touchdowns and posting a 115.5 passer rating in a decisive victory, then fell flat against the Packers in a loss that eliminated the Bears and left them with two meaningless regular-season games.
Trubisky completed 29 of 53 passes—he should never be throwing that many—for 334 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions for a 64.5 passer rating. His two worst games of the 2019 season were against the Packers, and they held him to his second-worst rating this season (74.7) when they blew out the Bears in November.
The Packers have been hugely problematic for Trubisky. He has just one win against them in six career starts and has thrown seven touchdown passes and five interceptions for a 79.0 passer rating.
Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has made a point of keeping Trubisky contained to the pocket, eliminating one of his strength, and forcing him to try to beat them as a drop-back passer.
