Every year there is an expectation of second-year players make that awaited career jump after a tough learning experience as rookies. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein made his five choices for the upcoming 2018 season. There were some obvious ones including Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett and Browns tight end David Njoku. There was a surprise like Raiders corner Gareon Conley. Yet no list is complete without a quarterback. Was Mitch Trubisky on it?
Of course not. That’s okay. It shouldn’t be a surprise that Deshaun Watson would be the choice right? He threw 19 touchdowns to eight interceptions last season before tearing his ACL. There’s every reason to think this year will be a big one for the Houston Texans starter. Except he wasn’t the choice either.
No Zierlein went even more unconventional and puzzling by settling on Kansas City Chiefs former first round pick Patrick Mahomes.
Mitch Trubisky slighted in favor of Mahomes for bad reasons
Look, before this goes any further it must be stated clearly that I am a big Mahomes fan. He was my favorite QB prospect in 2017. That’s the truth. So people will know I’m being objective when I say the selection of him over Trubisky is wrong on a number of levels. Still, Zierlein tried to make his case.
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“It’s usually not wise to expect big things from a first-year starter at quarterback, but I’m still going to plant my flag with Mahomes because of Andy Reid’s track record in helping QBs succeed.
Mahomes, the 10th pick of the 2017 draft, threw for 284 yards and an interception in his one and only career start — the final regular-season game of last season — but people inside the Chiefs’ building say Mahomes’ growth during the season allowed the team to feel comfortable enough to trade away Alex Smith this offseason.
Mahomes has a solid offensive line, a quality running game and plus targets to throw to in Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and free-agent addition Sammy Watkins. He might have to endure some growing pains, but I think Mahomes will surprise anyone doubting him in 2018.”
First of all, it was stated right from the beginning.
Mahomes has one start under his belt. That virtually assures he’s going to struggle early on. Trubisky already has 12 starts in the NFL and showed significant progress towards the end of the season. The Andy Reid argument would normally be ironclad but Trubisky even has a counter there.
Mitch Trubisky mic'd up in a snow game is just.. EPIC!! 🐻⬇️❄️❄️ #DaBears #TheFuture pic.twitter.com/zMmh5JmT8W
— MonsterOfTheTriState (@SCAR_179NY) December 27, 2017
The Bears just got done hiring Matt Nagy, a protege of Reid from Kansas City. He’s learned all the tricks to developing a QB from the man himself. It’s not like Reid held some hidden teaching points just for himself to use. In truth, the only argument with any validity here is the supporting cast but even that isn’t as strong as people think.
As of now, the Chiefs have three Pro Bowlers on their offense. That is Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt. After their offseason of work, the Bears now have three with Jordan Howard, Kyle Long, and Allen Robinson. Tarik Cohen was also a Pro Bowl alternate.
The point of all this being that the arguments for Mahomes are weak. Certainly not enough to validate him over Trubisky.
