When Mitch Trubisky was drafted back in April, experts tried to search for a parallel to compare the subsequent Chicago Bears quarterback crisis. That is to say the high-price free agent being pushed by the addition of a high draft choice. After some digging the common find was what the Seattle Seahawks did in 2012.
That was the year they signed former Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn to a three-year deal at $26 million. The initial plan was for him to starter. However, they knew there weren’t many guarantees his signing would offer. So they doubled down and drafted Russell Wilson out of Wisconsin in the third round.
They insisted that there was no quarterback controversy with the move. It just sort of emerged due in large part to a number of factors as the Chicago Sun-Times broke down.
Bears quarterback crisis is following the exact Seattle blueprint
“Even though the Seahawks had committed a ton of money to Flynn, GM John Schneider and Carroll went into training camp with an open mind.
With Flynn nursing a sore elbow, the Seahawks started Wilson in the preseason dress-rehearsal. The rookie connected on 13-of-19 passes for 185 yards and two TDs in a 44-14 victory over the Chiefs. Flynn, who would make as much in one game as Wilson made for the entire season, never got off the sideline.
Wilson has started every game for the Seahawks since, including consecutive Super Bowls in 2013 and 2014.
When asked about taking the inexperienced Wilson over the high-priced free agent at the time, Carroll said: “The right thing is to get the best players out there.”
What they didn’t check was how the preseason began. In the opener against Tennessee, Flynn was outshined as well. He threw for 71 yards and an interception. Wilson managed 124 yards passing, 59 rushing and two touchdowns with an interception. It was apparent from the outset who the better quarterback was.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Bears eager to see how Mike Glennon responds
Ryan Pace said one of the things he respected the most about Mike Glennon was his confidence. The guy just shrugs issues off and keeps plugging away, as leaders must. Well there’s no doubt he will have to do that on Saturday when the Bears head to Arizona. Glennon will be facing a Cardinals defense that was fourth in the NFL against the pass last year.
It should be known that Flynn flubbed his second chance as well. A week later against Denver he went 6-for-13 for 31 yards. Wilson? He completed 10-of-17 for 155 and two touchdowns without a pick. The rest is history. There is a belief that the Bears coaching staff were quietly happy Glennon struggled in week one.
Now they get a chance to see if he can bounce back.
“In a way, it’s the worst thing that could have happened to Glennon, who has had his struggles in practice. The disparity in play was that great. It opened the conversation for a controversy.
But Bears hope the Broncos game turns out to be the best thing to happen to Glennon. Trubisky’s emergence has turned into a direct challenge of Glennon’s “inner confidence.” It’s really an ideal situation. The Bears needed Glennon’s resolve to be tested.”
Trubisky, to his credit, has steered clear of every attempt to stir the pot. He has maintains that Mike is the starter. Period. Yet at the same time he works tirelessly in the background, anxious to prove he’s ready whenever he gets the green light. Another strong showing in Arizona could be major turning point for him.
And the franchise.