NFL training camps officially begin today. Like the MLB, NBA, and NHL, the NFL has gone through great lengths to implement new protocols to minimize the effects of COVID-19. And what a season it will be. With Tom Brady moving to Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, Cam Newton will be trying to fill Brady’s shoes on the Patriots. There will be plenty to talk about across all 32 teams. Today, I will talk about my home town team, the Bears, and the QB battle.
Mitchell Trubisky
Chicago has a long history of bad quarterbacks. After seven seasons of the love-hate relationship with Jay Cutler, the Bears had to find the next face for the franchise. Despite the Bears signing Mike Glennon in the 2016 off-season, the Bears drafted Mitchell Trubisky. It only cost them three draft picks to the 49ers to move up one spot. Chicago went silent. The anger and confusion felt by Bears fans was palpable. The pressure was on for the young QB to show why he was worth so much.
After a rocky start with Mike Glennon, Trubisky had his chance to shine. Although he ended his 2017 rookie season with a 4-8 record, Trubisky showed glimpses of promise. And with lame-duck Head Coach John Fox heading out, expectations were raised.
The following year, the Bears took the NFL by storm with a 13-3 record. It was Matt Nagy’s first year at the helm as Head Coach and Mitchell Trubisky’s second year. After the Bears electrifying display, it was hard to dismiss them as Super Bowl contenders for the 2019 season. But it was not to be. Trubisky and the Bears failed to live up to their hype, and the team finished with a disappointing 8-8 record. Much of the blame was put on the shoulders and arm of Mitch Trubisky, who seemed to take a step back in his development. However, the changes in offensive coordinator and lack of adjustments by head coach Matt Nagy also did not help.
Nick Foles
Drafted by the Eagles in 2012, Nick Foles has had a rollercoaster of epic highs and epic lows. After three seasons with the Eagles, the former pro-bowler played for the Rams and the Chiefs for one season each before getting picked back up by the Eagles in free agency for the 2017 season.
He was designated as the backup for rookie Carson Wentz, who would suffer a season-ending injury in week 14. Foles took the reins and led the Eagles to a Superbowl victory over the New England Patriots. Foles signed a massive contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unfortunately, Foles suffered an injury in week one of the 2019 season. He returned week 11 and was pulled by week 13 in favor of his backup, the young upstart Gardner Minshew.
Both Foles and Trubisky have a lot to prove, and I hope that this camp brings out the best of both players.
Regardless of the strategy or which QB gets chosen as the starter, the offensive line needs to improve. The Chicago Bears offense was straight up painful to watch last year as they ranked near the bottom of every offensive category (average points per game ranked 29th out of 32, last in yards per pass attempt, bottom five in all rushing stats). This does not fall entirely on the QB, but the way the league is now, you cannot have a subpar QB and be a contender.
Source: NFL.com