The Chicago Bears put the decision off for as long as they could. Or perhaps they just didn’t bother to release the information until required. Either way, GM Ryan Pace made it official. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network revealed that the team declined exercising the 5th-year option on the rookie contract of Mitch Trubisky. Undoubtedly a major disappointment for the young quarterback who seemed like a possible star in the making just over a year ago.
This coming summer feels like a last stand for the 25-year old. Nick Foles arrived from Jacksonville via trade. He has much deeper connections to the current coaching staff and a far more proven track record in the offensive system Matt Nagy runs. Trubisky, to his credit, has been on his best behavior. He’s embracing the competition to come and believes he has a chance to still win it.
Most people though believe he’d have to do something pretty drastic to stop Foles from taking his job.
Mitch Trubisky has his back to the wall
The Bears have made it clear all offseason that they intend to give Trubisky a fair shot at keeping his job. It’s going to be a balanced competition this summer. He’ll get the first snap in practice and both quarterbacks will get action in the preseason. That is how series Nagy is about keeping it fair. Still, Trubisky will have to show something significantly different as far as processing the system than he did last season.
It’s possible. Likely? Let’s just say optimism is lower. There are fans who still think he’s going to rebound. Most believe they’re in denial. The truth will be revealed one way or the other by the start of September.
