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Chicago Bears: Mitch Trubisky’s big-game issues started long ago

By Erik Lambert

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears takes the field after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Bears defeated the Vikings 24-10, knocking them out of playoff contention. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears takes the field after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Bears defeated the Vikings 24-10, knocking them out of playoff contention. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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Mitch Trubisky has shown tremendous progress over the course of 2018 with the Chicago Bears. Maybe not at the speed most people demanded, but it’s true.

His 3,224 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions made for the most efficient season spanning at least 12 games a Bears quarterback has ever had. This isn’t even including his over 400 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. People want to shower all the credit for the team going 12-4 on that defense. The truth is they don’t get that far without Trubisky playing as well as he had.

Even so, the doubts continue to linger around the former #2 overall pick. Critics remain steadfast that he’s the reason this Bears team won’t win the Super Bowl even get out of the first round against the Philadelphia Eagles. Why is there so much doubt? Well, it didn’t come out of nowhere. As much as many of us wish it did.

Trubisky has a reputation for coming up short in big games. He doesn’t have the ability to elevate his game against good opponents. Assumptions are this puzzling trend started in the NFL. The truth is it began far, far earlier than that during his high school days.

November 24th, 2012 – lost state semifinals to Whitmer

The truth is the Trubisky issues in big games began long ago all the way back during his high school days. In 2012 he was the toast of his home state, being named Mr. Ohio Football that year as a senior. He’d thrown 41 touchdown passes for Mentor High School and carried them to the semifinals of the Division I state championship tournament.

Facing perennial power Toledo Whitmer, he had a good game. His offense scored 34 points with him accounting for 453 total yards and five touchdowns (three passing and two rushing). However, in that game, he had to play perfect because of how weak the Mentor defense was at the time. He couldn’t, committing three costly turnovers in two interceptions and a fumble.

December 30th, 2016 – lost Sun Bowl to Stanford

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It took longer than he’d hoped to become the starter at North Carolina. Still, by 2016 Trubisky finally got his opportunity and made the most of it. He carried the team to a respectable 8-5 record which included a few 4th quarter comebacks along the way. His biggest test though arrived in the Sun Bowl against the rugged and well-coached Stanford Cardinal.

Essentially it was a repeat of his performance back in high school. He had some brilliant moments, throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for another 38. The problem was he lost a fumble and threw two bad interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He almost rallied them in the end but a big reason for them being in that situation was his fault.

Primetime games since becoming Bears starter

This is probably the biggest reason that most of the national media haven’t bought in on Trubisky to this point. Since debuting on October 9th of 2017, Trubisky has played in a total of five primetime games, be they Sunday or Monday Night Football. All but one of them ended up being against eventual playoff opponents. While he holds a respectable 3-2 record in those games, one could argue those wins weren’t primarily his doing.

Across those five games, Trubisky completed 96 of 155 passes for 774 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. That equates to a 64.83 passer rating. Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination. It’s hard to say why Trubisky plays that way. He’s played well against good defenses in the past, so it can’t just be that. More likely it has to do with his demeanor.

Trubisky has admitted on more than one occasion he can get a little overexcited during games. This leads him to being erratic on a lot of his throws, particularly early. It takes time for him to settle down. He usually does and plays better as the game goes on, but by then it’s too late. The mistakes are made and his reputation takes another hit.

Trubisky is more than capable of delivering in a big game. It comes down to whether he can get over early jitters fast enough before he makes a crucial mistake.

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