Chicago Bears Inch Ever Closer to Mitchell Trubisky Era

The Chicago Bears came into the 2017 season knowing full well that they would be playing for the future. After only winning 3 games in 2016 and facing extreme roster changes, including the loss of starting QB Jay Cutler, Chicago fans had to know that they would be facing a rebuilding year. Still, nobody expected it to look this bad. Chicago was absolutely shamed on television in Week 2 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had their way with the ‘Monsters of the Midway’ winning 29 – 7. For much of the game Tampa Bay had Chicago completely shut down. Now, as there were in the pre-season, the rumbles are becoming clearer: Does Head Coach John Fox turn to the #3 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Mitchell Trubisky?

After signing veteran Mike Glennon to an absurdly large contract in the off-season Chicago fans figured they would be watching him as a stop gap. Then Chicago moved up in the draft in order to acquire Mitchell Trubisky at #3. Suddenly the entire situation was messy. Things were made worse as soon as Mitchell Trubisky showed during pre-season action that he could compete with just about anyone in the league, and especially anyone on the Bears’ roster. Still, John Fox had to give Glennon the shot. He was the veteran with the big contract but that hasn’t translated to anything so far this year. Glennon completed 31 passes for a touchdown and two interceptions against Tampa Bay. The touchdown was a garbage time score, the interceptions in pivotal moments early.

The clock has started ticking.

A big reason for Chicago’s sudden urgency is due in large part to the contract situation of HC John Fox. Fox, who has won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos, came to Chicago as a highly respected coach with an understanding of the game. Still, Fox is only 9 – 25 in his career with the Bears franchise. Fox is on the hot seat and if he wants to have a job next year he might have to go to the more talented players which in this case happens to be the rookie. Should be a no brainer, but there is going to be an organizational push against the decision. That doesn’t mean that the clock isn’t ticking. It’s only a matter of time now until John Fox has to put the rookie in the starting line up. Could it be next week?

Mitchell Trubisky is far from a finished product. He’s probably not going to light the field on fire with big plays and he won’t be mistake free. What he will be is a chance for Chicago to get a true reboot at the most important position on the field.