Some people around the NFL are convinced Mitch Trubisky has done enough to secure himself at least one more year with the Chicago Bears. He went 6-3 as the starter in 2020. He finished with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions in those nine games and a 93.5 passer rather. Nobody would call that superstar-level production but it was enough to at least sneak the Bears into the playoffs.
That has to be enough to earn himself the job next year, right? Well, not so much. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the status of the 26-year old is far from certain. Something SM touched on as well in a recent column. The belief is Trubisky still has a lot to overcome. Yes he helped the Bears get to the playoffs but he still has continued to look too inadequate in the face of good defenses. The recent loss to Green Bay being another example.
That is why this game in New Orleans will carry a ton of weight.
From @NFLGameDay: #Bears QB Mitch Trubisky, who has played better lately, still has a lot to prove to be Chicago's QB of the future. It begins today. pic.twitter.com/lrIm8eEeQ0
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2021
The Saints defense is 5th in the NFL in points allowed. They’re also 5th against the pass with a good pass rush and quality cover corners. Yet that can’t be an excuse today. Chicago is facing one of the best offenses in the league led by Drew Brees who will have Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas back healthy. The Bears defense can’t be expected to hold that unit down for four quarters.
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The Bears offense will have to score. That responsibility falls at the feet of Trubisky. A responsibility he too often hasn’t been able to fulfill against good opponents. So unless he’s able to deliver in this game and produce a long playoff run? He has likely played his final season in Chicago.
Mitch Trubisky had his chance. He just couldn’t capitalize
People will make excuses for the quarterback all day long. The Bears played him way too soon. They did a poor job constructing the right offense around him. His protection wasn’t good enough. He didn’t have enough weapons. The reality is the organization did everything they could to help him succeed. They gave him a #1 receiver in Allen Robinson. His protection was far from the worst in the NFL and he’s been surrounded by one of the most quarterback-friendly coaching staffs in football.
At the end of the day, good quarterbacks find a way to perform at a high level. Mitch Trubisky hasn’t done that enough in his career. He’s had some high moments to be sure. His six-TD game against Tampa Bay will always be a fun memory. Yet his legacy across the last four seasons will largely be remembered for lackluster performances against good teams. His 1-6 record against the Green Bay Packers. Mustering just 15 points in the wild card loss to Philadelphia.
The list goes on.
Good quarterbacks should be expected to be at their best in big moments. Trubisky has instead garnered a reputation for feasting on lesser opponents while shrinking in the face of better ones. That is what average quarterbacks do. The Bears cannot and should not be okay with average.