Bears Credit Unexpected Name With Fueling Mitch Trubisky's Rise

Mitch Trubisky is on the cusp of something truly special. The Chicago Bears have crossed proverbial wasteland for the past 40 years searching for a true franchise quarterback. They've never found that promised land. Just the occasional oasis like a Jim McMahon or Jay Cutler to ease their thirst for brief periods of time. Yet the wells inevitably dried up and they had to move on. How fitting might it be that their potential El Dorado may have come to them from Ohio, a state that literally means "great river." There's some wonderful symbolism in that. The fact is Trubisky is playing at a level no Bears quarterback has in a long, long time. After his 373-yard, four TD pasting of the Lions in week 10 people are starting to believe. The 24-year old is on course to become the first Chicago QB to ever throw for 4,000 yards and the first to throw for 30 touchdowns in a season. Remember this franchise has been around since the 1920s. So it would quite the landmark moment. Plenty of reasons go into why he's having such success. His talent. Good coaches. Better weapons and protection. However, there is one other element in play that fans don't see. Kalyn Kahler of the MMQB caught wind of it on a recent visit to Lake Forest.

Bears team praise Zach Miller as a huge proponent of Mitch Trubisky

Most people remember tight end Zach Miller these days for his catastrophic knee injury suffered last year. It came during a touchdown catch against the Saints in New Orleans and nearly forced doctors to amputate his lower leg because of how bad it was. Anybody watching that day would've said his career is over. Miller hasn't let that happen. The Bears made a classy move resigning him to a new one-year deal as he continues his rehab. However, it turns out this wasn't just a charity move on their part. Head coach Matt Nagy and his staff have found plenty of work for Miller to do in the previous months. None more important than being Trubisky's handler. The guy who can get him focused on the next play and keep him calm. There was evidence of it throughout the season, but especially in Buffalo after the QB threw a bad interception in the second half.

"...Trubisky aggressively unsnapped his helmet strap and slapped his hands together in frustration as he walked off the field. He took a seat on the bench and shook his head as he reviewed photos of the play on a tablet. Miller approached from the far side of the bench, where the tight ends were congregated, and took a seat right next to Trubisky. Dude, forget about it. Are you kidding me? We’re smoking them right now and you’re doing your job. Just go out there and make plays like you always do. Trubisky nodded and relaxed."

After that Trubisky led the offense to a late touchdown to seal the win.

Coaches say that Miller just has a knack for this job. He's basically like Trubisky's big brother. He understands when he's needed, even if others might not see it. Their connection was evident the week before. Miller was caught on camera talking about his quarterback to Nagy before the New York Jets game. His expectations for the kid are sky high. [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Matt-Nagy-Micd-Up-vs.-Jets-A-butt-equals-two-NFL-Films000000.000-000013.622.mp4"][/video] Based on the results of late, he knows what he's talking about. It's uncertain if Miller will ever get back on the field as a player. One thing is for sure though. He has a bright career in coaching if that's the next vocation he chooses to pursue. He's got the work ethic, the never-say-die mentality, and most importantly the sense of when a player needs to be motivated or settled down.