Given the way the Chicago Bears have tried to spin things, one would expect the most prolific quarterback-receiver combinations to be Mike Glennon and somebody. Cameron Meredith? Kevin White? Victor Cruz? Nope. All three of those players have made their share of plays. However, the most productive tandem isn’t even in the starting offense. That would be the unlikely duo of Mitch Trubisky and Tanner Gentry.
It’s rather amazing how this connection was formed when one thinks about it. Trubisky is the #2 overall pick of the draft. He’s a suburban bred young man from Ohio who made his name in North Carolina. Gentry is an undrafted free agent. He’s a country boy from the mountains of Colorado who quietly excelled at Wyoming.
It really doesn’t seem like their paths should’ve crossed like this. Yet it has. From the first minicamp through the start of padded practices, Trubisky and Gentry have showcased a growing chemistry that is producing results on the field.
Mitch Trubisky and Tanner Gentry have things clicking
It seems like once every few minutes during drills the two are hooking up for a nice play. Even head coach John Fox acknowledged the surprising ascent of Gentry. It’s not an isolated case of just one or two flash catches. He’s routinely made nice grabs for big gains, and Trubisky is almost always the one pulling the trigger.
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Trubisky floats it up to Tanner Gentry for a nice snag pic.twitter.com/hKoQ1C7NOu
— Lorin Cox (@CoxSports1) July 30, 2017
Trubisky to Gentry again. Those two are really clicking pic.twitter.com/IU9aIzPNaL
— Lorin Cox (@CoxSports1) July 30, 2017
This isn’t a surprise to Wyoming fans. They came out in droves to insist to Chicago fans that the Bears had gotten a good one. Of course people hear that all the time but in fairness it may be true. In 2016 Wyoming QB Josh Allen threw for 3,203 yards and 28 touchdowns. Around 1,324 of those yards and 14 of the touchdowns went to Gentry. In other words he was responsible for 41% of the passing yardage and 50% of the TD scoring.
That’s indicative of a classic “safety valve” option. A receiver who always makes the catch for his quarterback. Trubisky didn’t hold back in his praise of Gentry when asked.
This could be a potentially huge development for Gentry. As an undrafted player, his chances of making the roster are difficult already. Never mind the fact that Chicago added a ton of veteran receivers in free agency including Cruz, Markus Wheaton, and Kendall Wright. He’ll need something to help give him an edge over the next month to have a shot at the roster.
Forging a strong bond with the quarterback who is likely the future of the franchise? Yeah, that will definitely help his odds.
