The Aaron Rodgers Bears relationship is a respect-hate type. Mostly hate of course because he’s been the bane of their existence for almost a decade. At the same time there’s no doubting the obvious. He’s arguably the best quarterback in the game today and a surefire Hall of Famer. So whenever he has an opinion regarding the quarterback position, it might be wise to have a listen.
It’s no secret Chicago has a full-blown quarterback controversy on its hands. This can’t be surprising to GM Ryan Pace. He pretty much guaranteed it would happen when he drafted Mitch Trubisky #2 overall a month after signing Mike Glennon to a lucrative contract in free agency. It was a situation that was destined to divide people.
Some would urge caution. Let the veteran Glennon play while the rookie could sit back and learn. Others think if Trubisky outplayed him in preseason that he deserved to start right away. Based on pure stats and tape, this has come to pass. Yet Glennon remains the unquestioned starter and some question whether the Bears know what they’re doing.
Rodgers made an interesting statement on this matter. One in which he has unique experience.
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Aaron Rodgers Bears history really puts Trubisky issue in focus
Once upon a time, Rodgers was a first round pick himself. He came in with a ton of fanfare to Green Bay, viewed as the heir apparent to Brett Favre. Gigantic shoes to fill. One can only imagine the pressure. The two-time MVP believes that the Packers did the right thing by waiting to play him. He explained why during an article by Robert Mays of The Ringer and how this might apply to Trubisky.
“My hope for those guys is that they can come along at their own pace,” Rodgers says. “I did, and it meant the world to me. Not everyone is in a situation where they’re playing behind a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but to be able to come along without that pressure allows you to reset.”
That reset is a chance to step out of the constant high-pressure demands placed on a starting quarterback. After spending years in the churn of week-to-week preparation, getting that time on the bench allowed him to take a longer look not only at who he was on the field, but also at what the league was like. “If you’re smart, and you listen, and you watch, you can start to figure out how these guys make it—and why other guys don’t make it,” Rodgers says.
Trubisky is smart enough to absorb everything around him
That last bit applies directly to Trubisky. Word is he’s been a sponge from day one at Halas Hall. He’s kept his mouth shut and listened to anything and everyone around him. He even got tips from Peyton Manning on a number of occasions. The guy is talking to the right people and asking the right questions. It’s no coincidence that he’s progressed faster than some thought he would.
Rodgers basically stated the Bears are doing nothing wrong. They’ve cultivated a situation where Trubisky doesn’t have to play until he looks and feels comfortable. Sure there’s always that competitive part that wants to play. At the same time there’s no right answer here. Some have waited and had success. Some played immediately and had success.
It’s about gauging when the player looks like he’s “got it.” Is Mitch there yet? The Bears don’t seem to think so, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen soon.
