Fansided
Fansided

Chicago Bears Draft History Say Trubisky Should Do Well

By Erik Lambert

26 Jan 1986: Quarterback Jim McMahon of the Chicago Bears looks to pass the ball against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bears won the game, 46-10.
26 Jan 1986: Quarterback Jim McMahon of the Chicago Bears looks to pass the ball against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bears won the game, 46-10. /
facebooktwitterreddit
26 Jan 1986: Quarterback Jim McMahon of the Chicago Bears looks to pass the ball against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bears won the game, 46-10.
26 Jan 1986: Quarterback Jim McMahon of the Chicago Bears looks to pass the ball against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bears won the game, 46-10. /

The Chicago Bears used to be a team that invested heavily at the quarterback position and were actually quite good at scouting it at one time.

During one 10-year period from 1939 to 1949 they drafted three future Hall of Famers. Sid Luckman led them to glory with four NFL championships. What many people forget is they also drafted Bobby Layne and George Blanda. Both ended up having their greatest career successes with other teams though. Since that incredible run, the franchise has been woeful in finding signal callers who can win them games.

One thing hasn’t changed in that time period though. When the Bears stop playing around and go after the best possible guy, they tend to succeed. In the fact they have a strong track record with top five quarterbacks. Luckman went #2 overall in 1939. Bob Williams went #2 in 1951 and showed considerable progress in his second year before being absorbed into the military to fight in Korea. Then of course came Jim McMahon, a #5 overall pick in 1982 who led the team to a Super Bowl championship.

Trubisky is the latest in that line and arguably the most talented

What’s so encouraging about Mitch Trubisky is he might be the most gifted of that group. He’s bigger than both Luckman and McMahon were. In terms of arm strength he’s equal to both and certainly more accurate. He has no commitments to the military, something that has hampered the position in the past. Not only with Williams either. Luckman spent a brief time serving in World War II.

His entire focus is on the Bears. How far can he take it? That depends on the team. In recent history they’ve not done the greatest job at building around the quarterback.  Jay Cutler can attest to that. Thus far they’ve constructed a solid offensive line and have two excellent running backs. Their tight ends aren’t great but it’s a deep, underrated group. The question will be can they get him some proper wide receivers and will he be able to progress as a quarterback?

We’re about to find out.

Home/NFL Hot Takes