Mitch Trubisky has been the center of debate in Chicago since Ryan Pace traded up to draft him second overall back in 2017. Is he a franchise quarterback? Should the Bears pick up his fifth-year option? Is Teddy Bridgewater, or someone similar, a better decision?
The 2019 season has been an up and down experience for Bears fans. After losing to the Packers to open, they won three in a row then lost three in a row. Right now the Bears sit at 7-6 coming off back-to-back 100+ passer ratings for Trubisky. Chicago fans were calling for #10’s head just a few weeks ago and now everyone seems to be calling him a franchise quarterback … why?
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
Trubisky’s biggest games of the season (100+ passer rating) came against the Lions (twice), Cowboys and Redskins. Three teams with a combined 15-32-2 record.
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The rest of Trubisky’s season consisted of a 75.1 passer rating or lower. (not counting the garbage time against the Saints)
To put this into perspective, Baker Mayfield is ranked 33rd in passer rating with a 77.6. Therefore, Trubisky has played worse than the worse quarterback in the league against everyone except the Lions, Cowboys and Redskins.
The best team, on paper, that Chicago has played this year is the Green Bay Packers in week 1. Trubisky’s passer rating was a 62.1.
Now, passer rating doesn’t tell the whole story and Mitch’s back-to-back 100+ rating games would indicate his potential arrow is pointing up. Trubisky will have a chance to verify that against the Packers in week 15. Green Bay will study his tape from the Cowboys game, likely take away his short throws and adjust their defense to account for his running. It should be interesting to see how Trubisky responds.
Throughout the last few weeks, and specifically in a recent ESPN+ article, Phillip Rivers and Teddy Bridgewater were tied to the Bears as the “best 2020 destinations for free agents.” Is this forgotten now that Trubisky proved he can beat the Cowboys who are currently sitting at a disappointing 6-7 on the season? Did everyone forget about the interception he threw directly to the Cowboys defender on the goal line in that game?
The best scenario for the Chicago Bears is Mitchell Trubisky proving he can be the quarterback of the future. Digging himself out of an early season hole would give Chicago fans renewed optimism and likely provide a hometown discount for a possible contract extension.
If Trubisky falls flat in the final weeks of the season, the organization will have some significant salary cap decisions to make heading into 2020.
Everyone in Chicago is rooting for Mitch but he has to put together a solid performance against a good team, and significant victories to end the season, before we can anoint him the starter for 2020.
