Mitch Trubisky isn't hiding from what happened in 2019. He didn't play well enough. He openly admitted that. If the Chicago Bears are going to win in this league, he has to be better. The problem is he's running out of time. This is his fourth season. His 5th-year option was declined. That means his best chance to get that lucrative second contract rests on him delivering a strong 2020. This is presuming he even gets the chance now that Nick Foles is in town. Still, he has his share of supporters. Brian Urlacher being one of them.
The Hall of Fame linebacker appeared on The Pat McAfee Show to discuss his former team and the obvious QB situation. Urlacher understands what the Bears are going through because he endured the same thing for 13 years. Great defense. Erratic offense and an inability to solidify the quarterback spot. What were his thoughts when the team traded for Foles? Mostly confusion.
"I get it. Nick Foles has some good credentials. He came in as a good backup for Philly that one year but I don't know. Their defense is good every single year. Every year...Big name players. I just don't understand the trade for Nick Foles. I like the guy. If you're talking about keeping a guy at quarterback who you traded up for at #2, you didn't have to but you did, and then you trade for (another) guy? It was confusing to me."
Urlacher understands the frustration, but he was also quick to point out it wasn't just Trubisky who was bad last year.
"Two years ago they had a great season. Last year they took a step back but I don't think that's all his fault. The offensive line was dinged up. Name one of his receivers besides Allen Robinson that did something? They had no tight ends. The running back Montgomery I really like... but if they're healthy up front it's going to help everyone. Not just him."
McAfee pointed out how Urlacher seems to like Trubisky. The linebacker didn't deny it.
"I do. Not so much for what he's done on the field. Just the way he handles himself. I played for 21 different quarterbacks in Chicago...When you have a guy who walks to the mic after a win and all he talks about is the offensive line, the defense, the coaching, the running backs, the receivers? I respect that. When he walks to the mic after they lose and says, 'I have to play better. I didn't do a good enough job.' It's always his fault when they lose. I respect the shit out of that. So it's hard for me to give up on him after one bad season."
Brian Urlacher may get his wish the way things are going
COVID-19 has thrown the ultimate monkey wrench into the Bears' plans. Head coach Matt Nagy had said he wishes to conduct a fair competition between the two. Yet that seems almost impossible now. Minicamps and OTAs were already canceled. The preseason isn't far behind. That means Foles will only have a month of training camp to get up to speed and forge a strong connection with his receivers in order to unseat Trubisky.
All the while the 25-year old has worked out constantly with those same receivers all offseason. Not to mention putting in work with renowned QB coach Jeff Christiansen who also helped Patrick Mahomes and Ryan Tannehill. It feels like unless Trubisky comes out totally flat in camp, it is his job to lose. Foles will start out as the backup and serve as insurance in case the guy can't cut the mustard.
Brian Urlacher may get his wish.
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