The Chicago Bears continue to get ready to host the Los Angeles Chargers in a must-win week eight matchup this Sunday. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is in need of a bounce-back performance from his last start against the New Orleans Saints. Although he passed for two touchdowns late, it came in garbage-time which many have dismissed, but shouldn't be given who Trubisky is.
How the Bears offense responded to close out their 36-25 loss to the Saints is important given Trubisky's mental makeup. Chicago's quarterback has faced questions the last two seasons about his confidence level and body language. With less than five minutes left in the game, Trubisky passed for 138 yards and two scores. That is huge for a quarterback that needs any little victory to get him pointed in the right direction.
Although the scores and plays didn't matter, the types of throws Chicago's quarterback made could help build his confidence going forward. One pass was the two-point conversion attempt to tight end Adam Shaheen. With Shaheen facing one on one coverage, Trubisky fired a pass to his tight end and put it in a spot that only his tight end could make the catch. For a quarterback that has severe accuracy issues this season, it could be that type of throw that helps get him into a rhythm going forward.
Regardless if it came during garbage time, Trubisky also got much needed live in-game reps, something he didn't get in the preseason. The Bears' third-year quarterback did not attempt a single pass this preseason which could be a contributing factor to his regression this season. In the final five minutes against the Saints, Trubisky was able to practice his throws and work on timing with his receivers without the fear of putting the game in jeopardy. On the last two drives, seven different Bears players caught passes. This came as Trubisky has been locked on receiver Allen Robinson through the first six games deterring him from going through his progressions to find other open receivers.
From a coaching standpoint, the final five minutes didn't matter much either, but there could be some plays that could be worked into a future game plan. One play was the 18-yard delayed screen pass to Shaheen who got open in the flat and was aided with downfield blockers. It may be a play Nagy could run for Trey Burton to help get him going.
What the Bears' offense did against the Saints in the final five minutes of last week's game, doesn't forgive what happened in the first 55 minutes. The offense still needs a lot of work, but that work could be made easier with the right mindset. If Trubisky has confidence heading into Sunday's game against the Chargers, what he did in garbage time could help be the reassurance he has been needing all season long.
