Mitch Trubisky looked like he was embarking on a mission when he retook the starting job from an injured Nick Foles. It wasn’t just the Chicago Bears’ season that was on the line. It was his career. If he didn’t turn the light on now, the odds were he’d end up a backup quarterback. Another in a long line of failed 1st round busts.
Things started off a bit shaky in Green Bay but he finished well with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Then he had a relatively clean performance against Detroit. However, that was hurt by a brutal strip-sack in the final minutes that gave the Lions the eventual winning score. Then the next week he fired three touchdowns against the Houston Texans.
A big performance in Minnesota could be a turning point for him.
The Vikings have a long history of giving the 26-year old quarterback problems. He’d never posted a passer rating above 90 in his career against them. With the defense ailing, it was clear the Bears offense had to score to win. This is exactly what they did, posting 33 points in an enormous revenge win to all but mathematically knock their rivals from the playoff chase.
For most of the afternoon, Trubisky was sharp. He completed 15-of-20 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown while also running for another 34. He had the Bears deep in Minnesota with three minutes left. All he had to do was stay smart. Instead, he revealed his old habits, firing a misguided pass into double coverage that was intercepted in the end zone.
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A brutal turnover that could’ve cost the Bears the game.
Mitch Trubisky, as always, was rescued by the defense
After a rough second half, they denied the Vikings on that subsequent drive to force a turnover on downs. Chicago was able to turn that into a field goal to make it 33-27. Then Minnesota’s last gasp was snuffed out by a Sherrick McManis interception. Just like that the Bears were back to 7-7 with a game against the one-win Jaguars up next. If things hold, they should be playing for a playoff spot at Soldier Field against Green Bay in the season finale.
As for Mitch Trubisky? Some people believe this recent surge is proof he deserves another year in Chicago. In all honesty that isn’t true. Trubisky has played fine but he’s not the reason for the Bears’ sudden outburst of offensive success. Primary credit for that must go to running back David Montgomery who now has 434 yards rushing with five touchdowns in his last four games. He has dominated on the ground.
Trubisky has merely benefitted from that.
He can’t be credited as the true spark of this turnaround and that is why the Bears must be careful with what they decide to do this coming offseason. If they want to try keeping him on a one-year deal? That would be fine but it’s hard to imagine Trubisky accepts that unless it is clear he won’t get any starting job offers in free agency.
The franchise and transition tags are out of the question. The Bears must reserve one of those for Allen Robinson who continues to play outstanding football. If the quarterback feels he can get big money elsewhere? They have to let him walk.