Initially there is a moment of caution with Bears fans when taking advice from columnist of their most hated rivals. They’ve been born and bred to despise everything the Lions, Vikings and especially Packers stand for. At the same time, those three teams have had considerably more success the past six seasons compared to that of Chicago. So maybe hearing them out in regards to the Bears’ Mitch Trubisky plan isn’t so bad.
What with all three teams experiencing significantly more success at developing quarterbacks as well. Jeff Dickerson of ESPN decided to reach out to his fellow NFC North associates with a simple question. What should the Bears do with their new rookie QB this 2017 season? Where should the expectations be?
Turns out the trio shared a near unanimous verdict in that regard.
Bears Trubisky plan must be about patience:
Rob Demovsky (Packers) – “To hold the clipboard for Glennon. Let’s face it, the Bears aren’t going to the playoffs this season whether it’s Glennon, Trubisky or anyone else under center. Why mess with Trubisky’s confidence now? Follow the Aaron Rodgers plan and let him watch and learn — not necessarily for three years like Rodgers did behind Brett Favre, but until he really knows the offense and the Bears assemble a more talented team around him to take some of the pressure off.”
Ben Goessling (Vikings) – “The Bears probably aren’t going to rush Trubisky into action, particularly after signing Glennon this offseason. You don’t make that kind of move if you don’t want the luxury of a slow development timetable for your young quarterback. The Bears might decide they’re better off spending the year with Glennon and giving Trubisky time to grow.”
Michael Rothstein (Lions) – “While Trubisky was the highest quarterback selected in the draft, if the Bears are smart they won’t force him into duty. This was a long-term play by the franchise, so it would be wise to let him sit behind Glennon at least to start the season. Let him learn by osmosis and by seeing how everything operates first.”
Essentially all three are urging the Bears to take the cautious approach. Trubisky is young and the team isn’t very good. Let Mike Glennon absorb the hits in what is still a rebuilding year. Then in 2018 they can use the offseason to bulk up the roster for Mitch’s debut. It’s a logical enough plan. At the same time it’s not stooped in reality.
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Aside from Aaron Rodgers, neither of those teams were able to stick with such a plan. Teddy Bridgewater was starting by the fourth week of his 2014 rookie season in Minnesota. Matthew Stafford was a day one starter for Detroit in 2009. That didn’t stop either of them from going to the Pro Bowl or getting to the playoffs.
The point being that if Trubisky is as good as the Bears believe he can be, then it really doesn’t matter when they put him on the field. He’s going to eventually have success regardless. Provided they give him proper protection and weapons of course.
