Mitch Trubisky spent four years trying to live up to his status as a #2 overall pick. The young quarterback worked hard. He did everything possible to bring the Chicago Bears success. In fairness, he achieved this. To a small degree. He helped them make the playoffs in 2018 and 2020. At the same time, his play on the field was never inspiring. When the time came to make a decision this offseason, the Bears chose to move on.
After waiting out the free agent market for a time, Trubisky didn’t see any starting opportunities materialize. So the 26-year old decided to accept a one-year offer from the Buffalo Bills to back up Pro Bowler Josh Allen. It’s not a bad situation when one thinks about it. That said, it was also a revelation of what the true opinion of Trubisky is across the rest of the league. At last, after an extended wait, video finally surfaced of him wearing Bills red, white, and blue.
It certainly looks…different.
bah gawd that's mitchell trubisky music pic.twitter.com/YbPxnsgykn
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 25, 2021
It is difficult to know what the future holds for Trubisky. Bills GM Brandon Beane seemed to think the one-year deal was merely a temporary thing. The quarterback would likely secure a starting opportunity next year in 2022 after spending a season learning behind Allen. Somebody who is quite similar to him in terms of playstyle and skill set. Time will tell if that proves true or if Trubisky is destined for a long career as a high-end backup.
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One thing is for sure. Chicago won’t wait long to see him back at Soldier Field. The Bills will visit in Week 2 of the preseason this August. With Allen unlikely to play much, this likely means Trubisky will see extended action. Rather fitting all things considered. Especially if he ends up dueling with Justin Fields. The past meets the future.
Mitch Trubisky may still find success
There have always been flashes of the quarterback being capable of solid play in the NFL. His problem was being unable to sustain for more than a couple of weeks. Not to mention consistently failing to perform against better opponents. That being said, he is still young. History shows that some quarterbacks don’t find their true footing as a passer until later in their careers. Tommie Maddox being one example. Rich Gannon and Richard Todd being others.
If he finally learns to grasp the mental challenges of the position, he may yet deliver a late-career surge provided he gets the right opportunity. Mitch Trubisky deserves it. He never did anything wrong during his time in Chicago. He said all the right things, worked hard, tried to be a leader, and stayed out of trouble. It was just a simple case of not producing enough during his window of opportunity.
It happens to many players.
Barring that, there is no shame in carving out a long career as a backup. Several former 1st round QBs have done it. If handled correctly, it can be quite lucrative. Just ask ex-Bears reserve Chase Daniel. If he can last a decade as a backup, so can Trubisky.