Chicago Bears conspiracy theories are fun and have been around for decades. Some are outlandish, but there are others that continue to stick around to this day. Most of them involve referees and the league intentionally costing the team games to hold them down. There’s no way to prove such things but that won’t stop people from grumbling about it.
Well Bears fans have a new one to chew on of that. That’s the conspiracy that the team is intentionally holding back #2 overall pick Mitch Trubisky. By many accounts the rookie has looked strong in practice. Thus far through two preseason games the stats and tape show him outperforming proclaimed starter Mike Glennon.
Now of course it’s still a bit early to hand him the job outright but what has so many people confused is the fact the Bears won’t give him more reps. Specifically a chance to play with the second team. It’s a confusing and muddled situation that makes little sense. Often this is where speculation gets creative.
Chicago Bears conspiracy theories that may clarify Trubisky issue
Why are conspiracies so compelling? Partly because they sound so realistic (most of the time) and offer explanation for unexplained situations. Also, in the rarest of circumstances, they can turn out to be true. Thus people cling to them. Bears fans are reaching the point where it feels like the teams’ refusal to given Trubisky a fair shot at the starting job is deliberate.
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So why? Here are a couple theories that at least might offer some clarity.
#1: The schedule
The one that makes the most sense at this point is simple. Chicago has the single-most daunting open to a schedule in 2017 than any other team. Not only do they have to start the season against the NFC champion Atlanta Falcon, it doesn’t get much easier over the next month and a half. Two of the follow three opponents, Pittsburgh and Green Bay, were also in the conference title games. Then there’s Tampa Bay who walloped the Bears 36-10 last season.
Here's #Bears deal (1/5): Trubisky's moved up `17 "clock" but Glennon starts season w/ ATL, @TB, PIT @ GB over 19 days, then MIN & it's "D"
— Chris Boden (@BodenTweets) August 21, 2017
The logic here is they keep Trubisky on the sidelines and let Glennon endure the obvious difficulties playing against those teams. This will let the rookie get a glimpse in person and on film of what top NFL defenses look like at full speed. Then they can choose to debut him in week five at home against the Minnesota Vikings. That or simply wait until after the bye week on November 12th in a home stand rematch with Green Bay.
#2: Glennon and the trade market
Almost from the moment that Trubisky was drafted, speculation began that the Bears might try to pull an Eagles maneuver. For clarification it goes back to 2016. The Philadelphia Eagles had just signed veteran QB Sam Bradford to a contract extension. Then not long after they traded up in the draft to select Carson Wentz. The plans were initially for Bradford to start while Wentz learned on the sideline. Sound familiar?
Those plans changed when Teddy Bridgewater shredded his knee in practice for Minnesota. Desperate for QB help, the Vikings dealt a generous package of picks to Philly for the rights to Bradford. Thus the Eagles got back a lot of what they gave up for Wentz and were able to start him immediately.
Of course Glennon doesn’t have near the value Bradford did at that point, but Chicago might be hoping to change that. It’s already been rumored that Glennon had some interested suitors this offseason. If the Bears could give him an “audition” run early this season and he plays reasonably well they might be able to ship him out in 2018 for a decent return.
Don’t forget the guaranteed money in his contract will be all but gone by next year. So a team will have two years of control while having to guarantee almost nothing. It’s truly an ideal scenario. Provided of course he doesn’t completely flub it.
#3: Saving him for the next coach
This one is probably the most far-fetched but there is still an element of intrigue to it. Rumors and innuendo have remained strong for months that John Fox has lost standing in the organization. It’s been said that the team even insisted he resign or retire. This of course so they could get him out without having to pay the guarantees remaining in his contract. Fox refused and so they’re stuck with him for another year.
This might explain the buzz on draft day that he was “surprised” when the Bears picked Trubisky, suggesting he wasn’t in the loop. Those rumors were denied. Nonetheless it was another sign that a rift was forming between him and the rest of the top brass. It’s quite possible that the Bears placated Fox with Glennon but always had the intention of drafting their future QB.
In other words Fox is free to go down fighting with his veteran quarterback. Meanwhile Trubisky could sit back and learn how to run a pro-style offense. Then in 2018 the team could seek out a new head coach who could develop him into the star he can be. After all it’s not like they aren’t aware of Fox’s reputation. To date he’s never successfully developed a rookie QB into a starter.
So why would they trust him to do right by Trubisky?
