Chicago Bears: Mitch Trubisky should get better as season goes
By Erik Lambert
The Chicago Bears showed a lot of good things early against Green Bay, and Mitch Trubisky was at the center of it. However, it didn’t last long.
The Packers defense adjusted in the second half, switching to zone schemes and the young quarterback struggled to deal with it. He missed some open receivers and looked uncomfortable in the pocket. It felt at times that his head was swimming and he was too amped up. Playing your first game ever at Lambeau Field can have that sort of effect.
The final state line was a mix of good and bad. Trubisky completed 65.71% of his passes, ran for a score and didn’t throw an interception. However, he only managed 171 yards on 35 attempts. Bottom line? He needs to improve but there were several quarterbacks who had worse games than him. That includes names like Eli Manning, Deshaun Watson, Ben Roethlisberger, and Matthew Stafford.
He could’ve been the reason they won but he wasn’t the reason they lost. As for those who are professing doom and gloom for him after one game, it’s worth mentioning that history suggests better days are ahead. Trubisky has always saved his best for when the season gets late.
Mitch Trubisky track record says he should improve as season goes
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It’s so easy to forget that Trubisky is starting over in a new offense and still has just 13 games of pro experience. Asking him to set the world on fire against the Packers in Green Bay was a bit excessive. The truth is there are still growing pains to go through. Bears fans may not like that, but this is the reality.
What happened with Jared Goff last year was the exception, not the rule. Learning an NFL offense takes time. There will be better days for Trubisky. Last year proved that. In fact, Trubisky has consistently proven he plays better as a season goes along.
First 6 games in college:
- 146-of-208, 1,769, 17 TDs, 2 INTs, 119.3 rating
Next 6 games in college:
- 135-of-180, 1,699, 16 TDs, 2 INTs, 128.9 rating
First 6 games in pros:
- 77-of-145, 988, 4 TDs, 2 INTs, 78.18 rating
Next 6 games in pros:
- 119-of-185, 1,205, 6 TDs, 5 INTs, 82.37 rating
It’s weird to say this but Trubisky, in his career playing major football, has never started two seasons in the same offense. He spent one year in college and one year in the NFL under John Fox before he was fired. Yet the track record speaks for itself. As he gains comfort and familiarity within the system, his efficiency and productivity improve.
People condemning him after one mediocre performance on the road in Green Bay in his first game of a new system aren’t being entirely fair. It’s a long season. One in which he’ll see plenty of quality reps and learn greater depths of the scheme. He’ll gain familiarity and timing with his receivers. The less he has to think after the snap, the better he’ll play. It’s the same for any quarterback.
The hard part is always giving him the time to learn.