There can be no doubt that the Mitch Trubisky debut is now something Chicago Bears fans are looking forward to. For the first time in over a decade the team has a brand new first round quarterback. Normally change is something people resist with ferocity. However, after the roller coaster ride that was Jay Cutler for eight years, most finally agreed it was time to try something else.
Like any sudden change, the drafting of Trubisky was hard at first. People criticized it extensively. After sitting back to think about it though? Many fans have come around on the idea. Now they’re starting to clamor for possibilities on when he could play. Perhaps he may even beat out veteran Mike Glennon for the starting job?
According to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune, that is not the plan.
Mitch Trubisky debut like later rather than sooner
“First and foremost — for those just tuning back in after last year’s 3-13 finish — this is not an open quarterback competition. It’s not veteran Mike Glennon versus second-overall pick Mitch Trubisky with coach John Fox dangling the car keys between them.
It’s Glennon’s job on Day 1, and the team plans for the depth chart to remain stacked that way. All season, in fact.
Now, in fairness to Trubisky, the club has no incentive to put a hard ceiling over the rookie’s head. Fox always should feel comfortable playing the quarterback who gives his team the best chance to win. If Trubisky develops at an accelerated rate, a pace unforeseen after spring practices, the Bears certainly would take it.
But, until further notice, Glennon’s grip on the job remains strong because he is the only one of the two trained in an NFL offense. Even if this were an open competition — which, again, it is not — Glennon has a head start that Trubisky shouldn’t be expected to overcome quickly.”
There isn’t really much to debate there. It’s pretty plain. The Bears had a plan when they signed Glennon for $18.5 million guaranteed and then drafted Trubisky. It was a way to take two big swings at the most important position in sports. Glennon gets his chance to play a season as starter. If he pans out, great. If not the Bears now have another young prospect waiting in the wings to take his chance.
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There is plenty of logic behind the idea. However, there are also other reasons why the Bears are going to resist every urge to start the rookie this year.
Experience
Let’s just get the obvious one out of the way. The biggest knock on Trubisky coming out of North Carolina. He only started 13 games. By contrast fellow first rounder Deshaun Watson started 30 just in his final two years with Clemson. Teams still aren’t sure what to make of him. How can he possibly be ready for a jump to the pros with so little game experience? That fear will be a motivational tool to keep him sidelined until the coaches are confident he has the offense mastered.
John Fox
It’s always important to keep John Fox in mind regarding any decision like this and know the history. To date the 62-year old coach has never successfully developed a rookie quarterback into a starter. With his job on the line in 2017, there’s little reason to think he mode of operation is going to change. His greatest successes came with veteran free agent quarterbacks like Jake Delhomme and Peyton Manning. Smart money says he’ll go back to that well one more time with Glennon. He’s seen the blueprint before.
Iffy receivers
The ideal situation would be for Trubisky to step in when the Bears offense is armed to the teeth with weapons. As of now they can’t say that’s the case. Jordan Howard and the offensive line look strong. Problems stem from the wide receivers. The two biggest issues are injury history and lack of experience. Kevin White has problems with both. Victor Cruz and Markus Wheaton both have extensive injury concerns. Cameron Meredith is in just his third year and doesn’t have the security blanket of Alshon Jeffery on the other side anymore.
It’s certainly a group with loads to prove. Can they be trusted to make the plays for a young quarterback who might not be perfect all the time? No. No they can’t.
Stiff schedule
Then there’s the fact that the Bears schedule doesn’t warrant allowing a rookie to play QB, especially through the first half of the season. Their opening four games will be against three playoff teams in Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Carolina. The other is against Tampa Bay who crushed them 36-10 last year. If that weren’t enough, seven of their games will be against defenses that featured a top 10 pass rush. Given how inconsistent Trubisky was facing heavy pressure in college, perhaps it’s best to not throw him out there unprepared.
Honoring their word
The NFL is at a tipping point these days. Several GMs have already been fired with reasons cited as poor relationships in regards to handling players. Ryan Grigson and Dave Gettleman being the most recent examples. More than anything it’s so rare for a team to actually stick by their word these days. The Bears have a chance to break that trend by giving Mike Glennon an honest to god chance to play out the 2017 season. Why? They said they would. It may seem too simple, but that doesn’t make it less right.
