National and local media have all given their opinions (many times) on Mitch Trubisky. Former players have done the same. His own Chicago Bears coaches have offered their insight. Most agree that he’s not where he needs to be. They like the athletic talent and the arm but until he starts mastering the art of playing his position from a cerebral perspective, he isn’t likely to go any higher.
That is the true sticking point. One opinion that hasn’t really been mentioned is rather interesting. The coaches who have worked personally against him in games. Guys who were required to study him intensively during a week and craft a game plan to take advantage of his weaknesses. What are their thoughts?
Mike Sando of The Athletic ranked Trubisky the 32nd-best QB in his 2020 rankings, and it’s likely because of quotes like this one from a defensive coach on another team that played against him.
“I don’t see any elite trait,” a defensive coach said. “Trubisky doesn’t have a great arm. Josh Allen has a freak-show arm. Trubisky is an OK athlete, but he is not this super-dynamic athlete. Usually, the guys like that who make it are mentally ahead of everyone else, but I didn’t get that from him, either. I did not see him diagnosing, getting the ball out in 1.5 seconds, knowing where to go with it. We caught him on a couple disguises. I’m like, what does this guy do? What is his X-Man ability?”
Mitch Trubisky doesn’t scare anybody and that’s the problem
In 2018, Trubisky managed to have some good games because he used his full athletic arsenal. He took shots down the field and more importantly used his legs to extend plays. When he stopped doing that in 2019, defenses pretty much laughed. He didn’t have the mental processing power to beat them like a Tom Brady or a Drew Brees. With a precise series of quick strikes meant to pick apart their weaknesses.
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With Trubisky it was simple. Disguise the coverages, take away his first option and then let the pressure do the rest. It worked over and over and over again because the guy just couldn’t keep up with the speed. That is why Matt Nagy grew so frustrated with him as the season went on. There were plenty of opportunities to hit open guys in such situations. Yet the QB either didn’t see them or missed them when he did.
It is hoped a revamped coaching staff with QB specialists like John DeFilippo and Bill Lazor can help him take that final step. Yet the trade for Nick Foles hints that people atop the organization aren’t holding out too much hope.