Benching Mitch Trubisky was not the most popular decision by the Chicago Bears coaching staff. Initially that was the plan all along from the start of training camp. Start Mike Glennon and let the kid sit back and learn. Unfortunately two things happened. Trubisky proved he had progressed much faster than expected and Glennon showed he had serious limitations as a passer. While he was throwing bad interceptions, the rookie was scoring touchdowns. Former Bear Corey Wootton believes the decision was easy at that point.
It was evident especially later on that the team responded to Trubisky. His accuracy, his confidence and his mobility gave dimensions to the offense Glennon did not. Many were convinced he’d earned the right to start. Instead the Bears declared Glennon the starter as planned. Now they’re 0-2 and the offense is a mess.
Several local and national media have said something needs to change. It’s clear experience and leadership can’t make the 28-year old a better passer. The longer this goes on, the worse it’s bound to get. In fact some believe the coaches risk creating friction in the locker room by continuing this pointless venture.
Corey Wootton slams Bears for benching Mitch Trubisky
One of those outspoken critics is none other than Wootton. The former Bears defensive end took to Twitter last night. He called the team to task over the decision to pack away the kid, declaring he should’ve been the starter right away.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Tribusky should have been guy day 1 starter
— Corey Wootton (@CoreyWootton) September 20, 2017
Wootton is no stranger to this sort of thing. In fact he encountered a similar scenario in 2013. After Jay Cutler went down with injury, backup Josh McCown came in and proceeded to have the best run of his NFL career. The Bears went 4-3 during that stretch and McCown threw 13 touchdowns to just one interception.
Yet despite that outstanding play, head coach Marc Trestman went back to Cutler. After a win over the Browns, the Bears lost the final two games of the season to miss the playoffs. To this day many believe they should’ve stayed with the hot hand. Wootton thinks the same is in effect here, saying the coaches are sending the wrong message to the locker room.
I def thinks guys are frustrated…QB has not been a strong suit in a long time for the bears and I think they need a new fresh guy in there
— Corey Wootton (@CoreyWootton) September 20, 2017
Wootton thinks reasons for decision are overblown
Coach Fox has stated from the beginning that Trubisky is being held out because he’s “not ready.” The general belief is they fear he’ll lack consistency if they play him, a common trait of rookie quarterbacks. Then again that’s somewhat ironic given how Glennon has played through two weeks. Wootton also responded that such things can be worked around with Trubisky. The value of getting him early experience far outweighs the risk.
I think they are trying to protect tribusky .but my thing is is you gameplan right that won't happen..need to get your franc qb experience
— Corey Wootton (@CoreyWootton) September 20, 2017
Exactly run and bootleg to get him going..anytime in pass chipping best rusher avoiding unnecessary hits
— Corey Wootton (@CoreyWootton) September 20, 2017
You gameplan to suit his strengths and run the rock to take pressure off him
— Corey Wootton (@CoreyWootton) September 20, 2017
He is an athlete something that Glennon is not preason got him rolling out using feet and completing some nice throws
— Corey Wootton (@CoreyWootton) September 20, 2017
It’s a fair point. Trubisky was quite effective in preseason running that basic game plan. The Bears stuck with the run and ran play action bootlegs to cut the field in half. This allowed him to use his mobility to create windows and his accurate passing led to some nice plays. It also kept the offense on schedule.
People will argue he did this against mostly scrubs, but then again he did it with mostly scrubs so that argument is weak. Dowell Loggains has showed he knows how to get guys open. All he needs is a trigger man who can get them the ball. Trubisky, despite the inexperience, has shown that sort of field vision and poise.
If fans saw this in preseason, one can bet other Bears players are seeing the same. It can’t be a coincidence that their lack of fire in Tampa Bay wasn’t at least partially impacted by their knowledge that Glennon wasn’t going to be any help.
Wootton is warning that such problems threaten to get worse.
