People have remained so focused on the physical talent and the accuracy of late. Many Chicago Bears fans haven’t stopped to ask a more searching question. Where does the Mitch Trubisky leadership situation stand? Everybody knows the responsibilities that come with playing quarterback in the NFL. It’s not only about playing the toughest, most important position in the entire sport. These men are required by their elevated position to be the ones who set the example for others.

Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers are all great individual talents. Yet what makes them special is their ability to elevate those around them through motivation and expectation. One of the biggest criticisms of previous Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was his inability to get his teammates to follow him.

Or more precisely “all” of his teammates. This was a hurdle that would be presented to Trubisky upon arrival. Could get the entire locker room behind him? Based on recent comments by coaches and players, he is having tons of success at this. A major key is his tireless work ethic and unselfish attitude. He’ll do whatever it takes for his boys.

He proved that on Sunday against the Bengals, and almost everybody missed it.

Mitch Trubisky leadership shined after Danny Trevathan got hurt

Late in the fourth quarter it was apparent the Bears were wrapping up their biggest win in a long time. With a score of 33-7 it was the first true blowout this team has had since 2015 when they clobbered the Rams 37-13. However, fans were dealt a scare when star linebacker Danny Trevathan went down with what appeared to be a back injury.

Thankfully he was able to walk off under his own power. The injury was not deemed significant later on, though he didn’t finish the game. It’s what happened after the play though that revealed the type of leader and teammate Trubisky is. Without any prompt the rookie went along the sideline to check on Trevathan.

Want to know what Bears players gush about Trubisky? It’s little things like that. These may be grown men who are built to be alphas. At the same time they’re still human beings. It’s nice to know that others care when you get hurt or not. When the quarterback takes the time to come check on you? That has to be a good feeling.

For fans the fate of Trubisky will be decided on the field. For the locker room though, random acts of kindness like that will pay off huge in the long run.

The Chicago Bears win against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday was a welcome relief from weeks of depression. Most people felt that this December was going to be a death march to the finish with nothing more than watching a team go through the motions. Instead fans were treated to an early Christmas present as their beloveds absolutely demolished a playoff hopeful in their own building 33-7.

The Bears moved to 3-0 against the AFC North this season, a baffling record given they’re 1-9 against the rest of the teams they’ve played. Either way it was one of those games that sort of came from nowhere. After the disheartening loss to San Francisco, most felt the desperate Bengals were going to roll over a listless and depleted team.

Instead the Bears seemed to have run out of craps to give and just went on the attack all afternoon. Cincinnati’s defense had no answer for their balanced, and shockingly creative offensive attack. Even worse an offense featuring Pro Bowlers like A.J. Green and Andy Dalton were shut down by a defense missing almost half its original starters.

Yet people still aren’t quite seeing the big picture of what that win represents.

Mitch Trubisky performance caught the eye of prospective coaches

Much of it has to do with the young Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky. For the first time this season the #2 overall pick was the one who took charge of the game. From the opening snap he was in full command of the offense. Chicago marched up and down the field all game long. Trubisky was at the center of it, delivering impressive throw after impressive throw.

He finished the day with 271 yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown. It was his best performance of the season. Cold weather? Road environment? No playoff prospects? None of that deterred him from doing what he did and the timing couldn’t be better. Everybody knows the Bears are likely to be in the market for a new head coach come January.

One thing that attracts the best candidates, more than lots of money, is the opportunity to have a quality quarterback in place. Especially a young one. Trubisky already has a reputation as a leader and tireless worker. Now he’s starting to put it on film, and that will open doors for the Bears to almost any candidate they may wish.

Road win in Cincy is usually a sign of things to come

Now for the superstitious fringe of Bears fandom there’s an extra nugget to take home. In the history of the two franchises, Chicago has played in Cincinnati a total of five times. They’ve won three of those games. Each of those wins could be called a harbinger of future success. In 1986 they stomped the Bengals 44-7 and would make the playoffs four of the next five years. In 2001 they shut them out 24-0. That year they won the division and a few seasons later began their climb to the Super Bowl.

Will that trend of future good fortune continue?

If there’s one thing that is fast becoming clear about Mitch Trubisky, it is his mastery of the subtle digs. On the surface he’s a pleasant young man. He is honest, forthright, intelligent and puts the blame for any problems the Chicago Bears are having on his own shoulders. At the same time the guy has become quite the master at slipping the occasional troll job during his media session, especially in regards to the coaching staff.

It started off innocently enough. A few weeks back he was talking about the progress of the offense and how it was able to hit on some big plays. At that point he indicates they could do some good things down the field “when Coach Fox lets us.” While hardly an outright criticism, it was a minor protest that he hoped there would be greater permission to attack in the future.

His wish didn’t come to pass. At least not as soon as he would’ve liked. Finally in Cincinnati, only after the fates of the coaching staff appear sealed, did the car get thrown out of first gear. The Bears called all sorts of different plays, mixing things up. Trubisky threw the ball all over the place, not being restricted to must-pass situations any longer.

The offense piled up 482 yards and 33 points. After the game, he couldn’t resist a little “I told you so” moment.

Mitch Trubisky did not deny idea offense was more aggressive

As stated earlier, it was subtle but impossible to miss. Trubisky didn’t elaborate but it was clear he was happy with the decision to finally cut him loose. He finished the game 25-of-32 for 271 yards and a touchdown. For the second-straight week he’s posted a quarterback rating of at least 112.  That doesn’t feel possible for a Bears QB.

The best part is that performance may end up being a huge boost in the teams’ efforts to find a new head coach in 2018. Top coaching candidates always try to hold out for the teams that already have a solution at quarterback. Similar to what Sean McVay inherited with the Rams this year. Seeing Trubisky play this well, the best offensive coaching minds will no doubt be vying for the shot to work with him.

If so then they’ll have to know that there is a one rule that can’t be ignored. “Don’t take the foot off the gas.” Otherwise a cranky Mitch will needle them in front of the cameras.

One of the hardest things to do as a professional athlete is to gain respect from your peers. Sure the easiest route to do that is by playing great at whatever the sport may be. However, it’s an even bigger challenge to get other players to follow you. To believe in you. Simply playing well often isn’t enough for that. One must go the extra mile, being a leader of men on and off the field. For the Chicago Bears none have embraced that reality more than Mitch Trubisky.

Quarterbacks are expected to lead their teams. It just comes with playing the most important position. Nothing is harder than being a rookie quarterback. Not only because the game is a lot faster than it was in college. Also because it’s tough to earn the respect of 9-10 veterans. Men who don’t react to the rah-rah stuff college players do.

To reach them Trubisky knew he needed to do something different. He had to grab hold of the reins and refuse to let go. Play well on the field, command the huddle and put in the extra work every day. Bit by bit he’s shown progress, and after a huge win over Cincinnati it became clear how much he’s gotten his teammates to trust him.

Mitch Trubisky is winning the battle on and off the field

Don’t believe it? Just look at the way they spoke about him after the 33-7 win. Trubisky was outstanding in the game, throwing for 271 yards, a touchdown and running for another touchdown. He was in total control from start to finish. Wide receiver Kendall Wright, who caught 10 of his passes, couldn’t contain his excitement.

“That’s why you trade up and get a quarterback like that. He played lights-out, and he’s really becoming a leader. He’s coming into his own, just being himself.”

Center Cody Whitehair was also happy for his quarterback. It was clear that the man doesn’t like to lose and that is a huge reason why this team is in good hands.

“He’s very critical of himself. Especially after a loss, he’s more critical of himself. That’s what’s going to make him a great player.”

By far the best quote though came courtesy of right tackle Bobby Massie. He too has noticed a greater sense of control the young quarterback is playing with. The boy is growing into a man and it’s fun for him to watch.

#Bears right tackle Bobby Massie on if he senses Mitchell Trubisky’s command:

“Oh, hell yeah. Mitch will tell us, ‘Shut the f*** up’ in the huddle. Mitch has got some balls. He’s going to be a good quarterback.”

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 10, 2017

The scary part is Trubisky is already like this with so little experience as a starter. Between college and now he’s only started 22 total games. That he’s already got the locker behind him is a testament to the work he’s put in, along with his own natural charisma. It genuinely feels like the Bears have something serious at quarterback for the first time in ages. Everybody is eager to see where it goes next.