The Chicago Bears have some big decisions ahead of them after Sunday. Presuming they miss the playoffs? Those decisions could happen rapidly in regards to head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace. Ownership will have to determine whether they should stay or go. Once that is done, the next big decision will be obvious. What do they do regarding quarterback Mitch Trubisky?

There is no question the 26-year old may have saved his career in the nick of time. His ability to help revive the Bears offense down the stretch while throwing 10 touchdowns to just four interceptions in the past five games has people wondering. Is the light finally going on for the former #2 pick? Plenty of scouts and executives believe it’s possible. This is why they’ve encouraged Chicago to consider bringing Trubisky back.

There is one problem many worry about though.

Maybe the QB doesn’t want to come back. He’s endured a lot of tough times in Chicago. Playing in front of this fan base is a real pressure cooker. Nagy made it clear back in September he didn’t view Trubisky as the future of this team when he benched him for Nick Foles. If the rumors are true and Nagy is indeed back in 2021, why would the quarterback be motivated to return?

There is also the question of money. Chicago will likely not wish to use the franchise tag on Trubisky given its heavy cost. Not to mention the need to hang onto Allen Robinson. So their best option would be to secure some kind of limited extension at a team-friendly price. Why would Trubisky do that when he can shop around free agency next March?

According to Kalyn Kahler of Bleacher Report, an agent told her the QB’s options won’t be as extensive as some may think.

The agent said the likely annual salary would be a small raise on Trubisky’s rookie-deal average of $7.25 million.

“The way Mitch has played, they are foolish to try anybody else on this list and pay him,” the agent said. “I don’t think Trubisky is going to have a big market outside of Chicago.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Uvu5DLKVI&ab_channel=AnhHi%E1%BB%87pVlogs

Mitch Trubisky realistically hasn’t done enough

Has his stock improved? To a degree, yes. Finally placed in an offensive scheme that fits his talents, he’s proving much more efficient and able to execute at a decent level. Yet anybody who has watched him carefully during this resurgence will likely come away convinced not too much has changed. Mitch Trubisky didn’t suddenly morph into Patrick Mahomes or even Ryan Tannehill. The old habits are still there.

Particularly the ones involved brutal turnovers at the worst possible times. He had two interceptions and a lost fumble for a touchdown against Green Bay. He was strip-sacked in the final minutes against Detroit that allowed them to score the game-winning TD. There was the end zone interception in Minnesota and again in Jacksonville as well. Teams won’t just overlook those things just because he beat up on some bad defenses.

Trubisky is what he is. He’s a functional NFL starter.

There will be times he’s good and times he’s bad. Right now for the Bears? That is enough. They have a lot of roster issues to sort out next offseason. Spending their time hunting for a new quarterback would be a hassle. Especially when they lack the resources to find a good one. Their best option is to retain Trubisky on a relatively cheap deal. By keeping it short-term, it protects them against long-term financial issues and also enables him to raise his price further if indeed this rapid improvement isn’t a mirage.