Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been under heavy scrutiny for his start to the 2019 season. He has been plagued by inconsistent play while missing time due to a shoulder injury. Both the media and fans have already begun to write him off as a bust; however, it seems the fans have forgotten how there have been outside factors altering how Trubisky's career has been analyzed.
When the Bears drafted Trubisky second overall back in 2017, the offense was completely different from what it is now. Chicago lacked a true number one receiver and lost their top two starting wide receivers before week two. The Bears starting wide receivers at the beginning of training were Cameron Meredith and Kevin White. Although not top-tier receivers, both showed promise and reliable play in 2016. Both were already on IR by the time Trubisky was named a starter in week five of that season.
For his first four starts, Trubisky had a rotating group of starting wide receivers that included Kendall Wright, Josh Bellamy, Tre McBride, and Tanner Gentry. Only one receiver caught a touchdown pass and there were just six passes caught longer than 20 yards between the four. Of the four, only Bellamy is currently still in the league this season. The best receiver Chicago's rookie quarterback had in 2017 was Dontrelle Inman, who was acquired via trade from San Diego halfway through the season.
Before Inman, Trubisky's best weapon was tight end Zack Miller, who suffered a career-ending and life-threatening knee injury in the week eight matchup against the Saints. The injuries to both the wide receivers and tight end had a big way in how the Bears rookie quarterback finished the season. Trubisky finished his rookie campaign with seven touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
Kickers have overshadowed some of Trubisky's best games in his first two seasons, as missed kicks led to Bears' losses on more than one occasion. Both Connor Barth and Cody Parkey missed kicks costing the Bears victories in 2017 and 2018, but also costing their quarterback of recognition. In week 11 against the Lions in 2017, Trubisky converted a fourth and 13 with a 19-yard scramble and followed it up with a 14-yard completion to Inman to put the Bears in field goal range. Barth missed a game-tying field goal resulting in a Lions 24-21 victory. Had the Bears won in overtime, Trubisky's clutch performance would have been highly touted.
The same scenario occurred in last season's Wild Card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Trubisky, who had struggled in the first three-quarters of the game, came alive in the fourth. He threw for one touchdown and passed for 115 yards in the final quarter of play. On Chicago's final drive he made several clutch throws that put the Bears deep into Eagles territory for the team to attempt a game-winning field goal. Parkey's miss field goal moments later overshadowed Trubisky's late-game performance that would have boosted his career.
All of this doesn't excuse how Trubisky has performed so far this season, but it is important to remember his best moments have been overshadowed. With a game-winning playoff drive and a better rookie season, there would be more people believing in the Bears quarterback than doubting him. Once he returns from injury this week, it is up to Trubisky to demonstrate that he can be the difference-maker that he has shown that he can be.
