The Chicago Bears QB situation is living up to its reputation. It truly is incredible how much inconsistency and bad luck seem to surround this position with this organization. Three games into 2019, the concerns around Mitch Trubisky were simple. He was struggling with his usual issues. Namely executing the offense with greater proficiency. Most agreed that 13 more games would provide an answer as to what the Bears should do next.
Do they extend him? Do they maintain the status quo or do they look for the exit door?
Well, things just got a lot more complicated. For the second-straight year, Trubisky suffered a nasty shoulder injury at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. Just a few plays into the game on Sunday, the Bears quarterback went to the ground and got his left arm twisted backward while a defender landed on the shoulder. Former NFL doctor David Chao believes he almost certainly has a torn labrum and will eventually require surgery.
The good news is Trubisky should be able to return in a couple of weeks with his shoulder in a harness and have no issues throwing the ball. Even so, this does nothing to provide answers for the Bears. If anything, it only increases them. Not only is Trubisky dealing with consistency issues. Now he's got health problems added on top of it.
Chase Daniel only clouded Chicago Bears issues
Complicating matters in this is backup Chase Daniel. While nobody presumes he has the prowess to be a long-term starter, the fact he's able to execute the offense so well despite no weekly preparation against one of the better defenses in the NFL is eye-opening. It was clear Daniel, for all his physical limitations executed Matt Nagy's system so much more smoothly. His first half was a glimpse at how the scheme works at its best.
It was proof that Trubisky, for all his physical gifts, still hasn't reached this point. Now with the shoulder setback, it's going to take even longer to see this season if he will. The Bears need answers. Is he their guy or not? Nagy remains firmly behind him, but there is no escaping reality. They have a roster that is ready to win now. An elite defense. Young talent on offense. This team is quite literally a quarterback away from competing for a championship.
It feels like the Jay Cutler situation all over again. A talented but erratic starter who finds unfortunate ways to get hurt. GM Ryan Pace is in a tough spot. How much longer can he afford to give Trubisky before something must be done? There are 12 games left in the season. There's still time for the kid to reassert himself as "the guy." Yet the clock is ticking.
