Mitch Trubisky Is More Like Jim McMahon Than We Thought

One of the best stories to come out of the process where the Chicago Bears drafted Mitch Trubisky involved one of their first meetings. GM Ryan Pace tasked the North Carolina standout with setting up a dinner reservation. It was a test meant to see how the kid handled preparation. When the Bears entourage arrived, Trubisky had made sure to keep it a secret by putting it under a code name:  James McMahon. It was the kind of clever, knowledgeable move that drew the young quarterback to Chicago. McMahon himself tweeted a tip of the cap to Trubisky when he heard about the stunt. Truth be told the two share a lot in common. They each are top five draft choices. Both come from programs that weren't known for producing NFL quarterbacks at the time. To top it off each were instantly embraced for their leadership. Through three games a pattern has begun to emerge with Trubisky. One that showcases he might be more like McMahon than anybody supposed. It doesn't necessarily have to do with his talent, but more his unselfishness.

The Mitch Trubisky Jim McMahon comparison locks in at "team player"

People always got on McMahon about his average numbers during his time as Bears starter in the 1980s. His best season in Chicago was for 2,392 yards. That led some to think he was an average quarterback. This simply is not true. The fact is McMahon was asked to play within a system that didn't demand an aerial circus and, being the unselfish leader he was, did so. Keep this in mind. During his two years (24 games) as starter at BYU, McMahon threw the ball 868 times for 8,126 yards and 77 touchdowns. He was one of the most prolific passers in college football. In his seven years (61 games) with the Bears he threw for 11,203 yards and 67 touchdowns. He could've done more if asked but Chicago wanted him to a direct an offense that had an excellent rushing attack in order to compliment a suffocating defense. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65JuBLd2e2A There were several instances where he seldom threw the ball. For example in 1983 he completed just 8-of-12 passes for 79 yards against Tampa Bay. The Bears won the game 27-0. His job wasn't to carry the offense. It was to direct it and make a couple plays through the air when needed and win the game. This was a job he perfected over time. Chicago was 24-2 from 1984 through 1986 with him under center.

Trubisky is being asked to do the same exact thing

Like McMahon, Trubisky has found himself under the guidance of a conservative head coach. Also like him he's running a team whose strengths are in their defense and their running game. He too was a top passer in college, throwing 30 touchdowns in 13 games last year for North Carolina. So far in Chicago he's thrown 48 passes in three games. People are grumbling about the lack of production. Thing is the Bears are 2-1 with him playing this way and he has a quarterback rating of 97.2 in those two wins. So what he's lacking in quantity he's making up in quality. Trubisky is embracing the same role as McMahon did. Lean on the running game, don't hurt the defense by turning it over and make a couple big plays when asked. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Trubisky-to-Cohen.-Rookie-to-Rookie.-Bears-1.mp4"][/video] It may not be the light-up-the-scoreboard type of plays fans dreamed of but it's hard to argue the results. Until such a time as when the Bears are equipped to throw the ball 30-40 times a game, this style is what they do best. That Trubisky has embraced the challenge and responsibility speaks volumes about his character. As it did for McMahon many years ago.