There is no question where the primary focus for training camp and preseason will be for the Chicago Bears. All eyes will be watching the anticipated quarterback battle between incumbent Mitch Trubisky and new challenger Nick Foles. GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy made it clear from the start of this offseason that they were aiming for competition at that spot. What they saw in 2019 was not good enough. Charles Leno Jr., their longtime left tackle understands.
He remains a firm supporter of Trubisky. At the same time, he understands the business of the NFL. It’s a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league. The Bears poured a lot of resources into making Trubisky a success and he’s not performing up to the standards a #2 overall pick should. Now with his 5th-year option declined, it feels like 2020 might be his last stand. Leno explained on the GOTTEM podcast that how the next few months play out depends on his mental toughness.
“Honestly it’s how he takes it, right? You could look at it like this. Some pure motivation if I’m in Mitch’s shoes right now. You bring in a guy (Foles) and decline my 5th-year option. I can take that and be butthurt and put my tale between my legs. Or you can compete and get into a positive. Now I got one year closer to getting a contract. That’s the outlook I think of. You do what you have to do and take care of what you have to take care of. Control the things that you can control. Shoot, he’s looking at a hefty paycheck.”
Charles Leno Jr. is correct. Trubisky controls his destiny
Leno isn’t wrong. It may seem like the Bears are trying to usher Trubisky out. If that were the case though, they wouldn’t have even bothered making this a competition. Pace and Nagy still like him. They’ve made that clear multiple times. They believe in his talent and work ethic. However, they also can’t wait forever. This team is ready to win and right now he’s the weak point. Unless he shows he’s ready to change that narrative, Foles will be the starting quarterback by September.
The good news is the timing might be good. Trubisky is entering the third year of this offensive system. This is typically when a quarterback should start showing signs of mastering it. He’ll also get a ton of extra help from the arrivals of John DeFilippo and Bill Lazor. Two noted QB specialists. Not to mention an upgraded tight end room with Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet.
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It may be his last chance, but it’s a fair one. He needs to embrace it.