Mitch Trubisky Isn't Great But There's Evidence He Has Improved

Mitch Trubisky had a ton of weight on his shoulders coming into this season. Beating Nick Foles for the starting job was just the first challenge. The hard part would be finding a way to keep it. Could he show enough improvement to convince Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears coaches he is worth the gamble? The verdict thus far is a tentative yes. Rest assured it hasn't been ideal. Trubisky had a rough first three quarters in Detroit before going off in the 4th, throwing three touchdowns on 8-of-10 passing. Could he deliver a more balanced game in Week 2 against the New York Giants? Well, yes and no. His first half was outstanding with over 150 yards and two touchdowns. Then things kind of went sideways in the second. The Giants picked him off twice and used those to get back in the game after falling behind 17-0. Looking at the final stat sheet it seems Trubisky didn't deliver as hoped with 190 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. However, a closer inspection tells a different story.

Mitch Trubisky wasn't helped enough by his receivers

The reality Trubisky should've had a much better day. For whatever reason, though he was undone to an extent by his two best wide receivers having off days. It started with Anthony Miller. The hero of Week 1 had a chance to break things open early. Trubisky delivered a beautiful ball to him that should've been a touchdown. Sadly Miller dropped it. That made the game 10-0 instead of 14-0.

It didn't end there. Later in the second half with the Bears driving into Giants territory, Trubisky had a 3rd and 6 from the 38-yard line. He again looked for Miller. Again the pass hit the receiver right in the hands and went right through. That forced the Bears to punt the ball instead of getting a 1st down to move the chains.

It wasn't just Miller though.

Allen Robinson was also guilty of having an off day. Normally Mr. Reliable, he had a couple plays that were uncharacteristic of him. The biggest and almost most disastrous of the game was in the 4th quarter. Trubisky went at him on 3rd and 4th with a chance to cross midfield. It looked like Robinson had the catch, but at the last second the ball was taken out of his hands by Giants cornerback James Bradberry.

That interception will go on Trubisky's final stat sheet but it wasn't his fault. Robinson had that ball in his grasp and let it get taken away. This is why stats can often be misleading. That being said, the Bears should at least be encouraged by his start to 2020. He has a 92.71 passer rating with five touchdown passes and two interceptions. One of those interceptions isn't on him and he should have six touchdowns. All that said, his decision-making and efficiency have improved from last season. One can call that progress.