If it was up to Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, he’d be fine if quarterback Mitch Trubisky didn’t attempt a pass until the regular-season opener against the Packers.
Trubisky started the Bears’ preseason opener against the Panthers last Thursday, but he didn’t attempt a single pass. Three straight handoffs to Mike Davis, and Trubisky’s night was done.
As for Trubisky, he understands the reasoning, despite the competitor in him wanting to be out there, why Nagy would limit his reps and keep him out of most of the preseason.
“It’s not up to me, and I definitely believe in the big picture and whatever Coach believes in,” Trubisky said Tuesday, via the Chicago Tribune. “Whether he wants me to go out there and do a couple handoffs and come out, I support that, or whether he wants me to go out there and throw 50 times in a preseason — that’s not going to happen — but I’d support that as well.
“It’s all about staying healthy and getting ready for the real thing. And it’s also getting these other guys a lot of reps and just supporting Chase (Daniel) and Tyler (Bray), being in the game mentally and doing whatever (Nagy) asks us to do.”
While any rep is valuable for a young quarterback, even preseason, there’s also no substitute for battling against the league’s best defense every day in training camp.
So for anyone concerned that Trubisky isn’t getting an opportunity to figure out what works and what doesn’t in the playbook, rest easy knowing he’s been challenged plenty.
“We’re definitely getting challenged enough,” Trubisky said. “That’s not even a question, just going against our defense every day.”
It’s likely that Trubisky could see some preseason action on Friday against the Giants, even if it’s just him handing the ball off once again. Don’t expect Trubisky to play in the third preseason game, or “dress rehearsal,” and certainly not the fourth game.
When health is of utmost importance, you do whatever you can to ensure your starting quarterback is ready to go for the regular season. Even if he doesn’t attempt a single pass in the preseason.
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