Perhaps one of the most entertaining bowl games of the 2016 college football season took place between North Carolina and Stanford. In that game it became a personal battle between what ended up being two of the top three draft picks in the 2017 NFL draft. One being Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky and the other San Francisco 49ers defensive end Solomon Thomas.
Those two are linked in so many ways and it started that day last December. For Thomas it was a signature game. He terrorized the Tarheels offensive line, sacking Trubisky twice and pressuring him constantly. The second sack was the one that ended the game on a failed two-point conversion attempt to tie the game and force overtime.
At the same time Trubisky showed every bit of his game as a top prospect, good and bad. The constant pressure forced him into some bad decisions that led to key turnovers. At the same time he also showed his guts and ability to elevate his play with the game on the line. His last drive to score a touchdown in the final seconds was brilliant. If anything the two players helped each other.
Bears fans may start debating decision to pass on Solomon Thomas
Now they’re set to meet again as Thomas’ 49ers come to Chicago for a battle among the NFL’s worst. Neither player has had the rookie season they hoped for to this point. Thomas has just two sacks this season. Trubisky has four touchdowns, four interceptions and a 70.8 quarterback rating during his seven starts. Both are undoubtedly hoping to have some kind of breakout game.
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Both have an opportunity to do so. Trubisky has been sacked eight times in the past three games. Constant issues at wide receiver have forced him to hold the football at times. That will give Thomas opportunities. At the same time San Francisco is 26th in the NFL against the pass. This means even an average passing offense could have a big day against them.
Perhaps the biggest fear is if Thomas duplicates what he did a year ago. It was well-known the Bears were high on him leading up to the draft. Reports indicate the decision was down to either him or a quarterback. Pace decided to go with Trubisky in the end. How many Bears fans will cry out against that decision if Thomas has a big day?
That may be a question nobody wants answered. Given the state of the Bears pass rush and the fact Thomas is a Chicago native would make it sting all the more.
