Mitch Trubisky is still just a kid in many ways. He’s only 25-years old. That said, he knows the position he holds within the Chicago Bears organization expects him to act like an adult. To his credit, he has done exactly that throughout what has undoubtedly been a frustrating season. Through 14 games, the young quarterback has thrown for 2,774 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Every notable stat category has regressed from last season including completion percentage and rushing yards.
This makes it easy for the legions of critics out there to come down hard on him for not living up to his billing as a #2 overall draft pick. This while others drafted after him have enjoyed great success. The biggest among them being Kansas City Chiefs star and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes. The two quarterbacks will lock up for the first time on Sunday night when the Chiefs come to Soldier Field.
So it was inevitable Trubisky was going to get questions about him.
He easily could’ve come across as short and annoyed by such things. Having heard it basically since he was drafted. However, to his credit, the Bears quarterback stood at the podium and gave thoughtful, honest answers on the subject.
“No. You just play your game. Find a way to win for your team. The comparisons are out there and they’re never going to stop. Me, Pat, and Deshaun are kind of grouped together in the same draft class. Drafted in the first round and all that. There’s no do-overs. We are where we are. Our careers are going on different paths and they will for the rest of time.
They’re always going to be compared against each other. It’s just the nature of the beast but I’m in competition with myself. Trying to be the best version of me. Go out there and win games for the Chicago Bears.”
Mitch Trubisky still has plenty left to play for
Expectations for Sunday are fairly dark. The Chiefs are one of the hotter teams in the NFL right now and the Bears were just eliminated from the playoffs. It is incredibly hard to summon the will to soldier on through two more weeks to try and finish strong. Trubisky though made it clear he has every intention to do just that. There’s a reason to believe he’s serious too. After all, unlike some others on the roster, he has a lot still to prove.
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One must remember that his clout within the organization isn’t exactly ironclad. Next year will represent the last in which his rookie contract is cheap. The Bears have to make a decision on whether or not to pick up his 5th year option. Nevermind the idea of a long-term extension. Trubisky isn’t just fighting to win more games. He’s fighting for his future now. Many people have been calling for him to get replaced outright this spring.
He has to be proactive in showing people that this job belongs to him. A good pair of games to finish the season would be a nice step in that direction. Showing up against Mahomes with the rest of the country watching? That might get a lot of people on his side.
