It’s taken awhile but the Chicago Bears’ quarterback battle between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles is finally getting underway with the start of training camp. With NFL teams forced to conduct their offseason virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it postponed the start of the competition until camp.
Although with the lack of an offseason and cancellation of preseason, there aren’t a whole lot of reps for Matt Nagy to go off when ultimately deciding the starter. While Trubisky is coming off a disappointing season, he certainly benefits from experience with the personnel. Foles’ first reps with Chicago’s skill position players will come during training camp, where every rep will be judged.
Our Bears Wire staff shares their thoughts on whether Trubisky or Foles has an advantage entering Chicago’s anticipated QB battle.
Alyssa: Mitchell Trubisky
Nick Foles was the safe choice entering the offseason, but that might have changed after an entirely virtual offseason kept these players off the practice field. Foles hasn’t had an opportunity to work with these Bears skill position players while Trubisky already has developed a chemistry with most of them. Trubisky has been organizing offseason workouts with both returning and new offensive weapons, including receiver Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller, running backs David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen, as well as new tight ends Cole Kmet and Demetrius Harris. During those sessions, they worked on the different installs that Nagy was pushing out during the virtual offseason.
Given the lack of offseason reps and the cancellation of preseason, there’s no way Trubisky doesn’t have a slight edge in terms of familiarity with personnel. And when I say slight edge, I mean slight. There’s still a lot that he needs to prove on the field, even if it’s just training camp reps. But in this case, it might be the incumbent starter that gets the edge. Still, regardless of who wins the QB competition, I’m not convinced they hold the starting job for the entire season. The Bears won’t hesitate to replace the eventual starter if he struggles.
Brendan: Mitchell Trubisky
It’s fairly obvious Trubisky has the upper hand on Nick Foles as the Bears enter camp. Head coach Matt Nagy even said so himself during the Bears press conference on Wednesday. It’s been well documented that Trubisky has been throwing to many of his current teammates, while also working with quarterback trainer Jeff Christiansen on improving his technique during the spring and summer. He’s doing everything in his power to win this job and since coaches haven’t had a chance to truly evaluate him or Foles, Trubisky has the early lead.
But…it’s early. When the practices begin, the real competition starts, and things may begin to turn in Foles’ favor once he has a chance to settle in with his former coaches. I’ve been on record saying Foles will win this job when it’s all said and done. For now, however, Trubisky will get the first crack when the offense breaks the huddle in camp and due to the circumstances, he may hold onto the starting spot for longer than initially anticipated.
Ryan: Mitchell Trubisky
Mitch Trubisky has the upper hand in terms of familiarity with the playbook and the ins-and-outs of the Chicago Bears offense. However, he’s yet to consistently execute the plays. The lack of a preseason could also be detrimental to his development, as he potentially enters his final year with the team. If you recall, Trubisky and the Bears offense barely played in the preseason last year, using the opener in Green Bay as their tuneup, and it showed. The Bears put up just three points, and got the season started on a sour note.
Regarding Foles, he can review the playbook as much as he wants, but not being able to physically run through the plays and develop timing with his receivers puts him in the backseat. But once the season gets started, all eyes are going to be on Trubisky, and if he doesn’t prove that he’s taken the next step, Nick Foles will get the nod. And I would expect the leash to be relatively short.
Greg: Mitchell Trubisky
Due to the situation everyone is in with COVID-19, Trubisky has the advantage over Nick Foles. The second overall pick is very familiar with the playbook and has chemistry with his playmakers. Foles has a little bit of experience with head coach Matt Nagy, but that’s dating back to 2016 and hasn’t developed that on-field chemistry with the position players.
For Foles, he can gain that experience and chemistry throughout training camp, but it will be hard to combine those two intangibles without any preseason games and scrimmages. Trubisky might have general manager Ryan Pace on his side as he will have a say in the quarterback competition. It took awhile for Pace to bring in competition at quarterback, but he still might have too much pride to give up on Trubisky.
