Mitch Trubisky or Nick Foles? It truly does feel like a 50/50 proposition when asking the media. Both local and national. Some believe the Chicago Bears intend to give Trubisky one more opportunity. Foles is just added incentive to keep him focused and also insurance if he flops. Others think there’s no way the team gives up a 4th round pick and lots of guaranteed money for Foles without a plan to play him.
So here’s an interesting question. What do Bears fans think? Sure there won’t be any consensus with them either but is it as equally split as it seems to be with the media. Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic worked to find out. Over 1,800 fans were polled on several questions regarding the franchise. The first of course was the obvious one.
Who do they think will win the QB competition and be the starter Week 1?
The results were surprisingly lopsided. A decisive 66.9% of fans voted that Trubisky would be the guy on opening day in Detroit against the Lions. Only 33.1% went with Foles.
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“The answer to this question may have been different in the weeks following the trade for Nick Foles, but fans are starting to see how the pandemic — which meant no OTAs or minicamp — has played out to favor the incumbent, though this disparity is still a bit surprising. Mitch Trubisky would seemingly have a natural edge as the QB set to take the first snaps of camp and the one who spent the spring working out with his teammates, and he’ll have no more than two preseason games to maintain (or lose) his role as the No. 1. However, a full training camp could give the coaches all they need to see from Foles considering their familiarity with the veteran.”
Bears fans are seeing reality with Mitch Trubisky vs. Nick Foles
Under normal circumstances, this battle would be fair and balance. Yet nothing about this offseason is normal. COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the NFL’s plans. Minicamps and OTAs were canceled. Travel is restricted for obvious reasons. Thus Foles still hasn’t been able to get to Chicago so he can work out with teammates. Thus Trubisky already holds the early advantage if for no other reason than proximity.
Now it appears the league plans to shave down the preseason even further. Already they went from four games to two. Now negotiations with the NFLPA could see them go down to just one. The opportunities for Foles to distinguish himself from Trubisky in any notable way are dwindling fast. Bears fans aren’t stupid. They see what’s happening. Facts are facts. Unless Foles consistently outshines him in practice, this truly does feel like Trubisky’s job to lose.
