Mitch Trubisky demonstrated a keen sense of Chicago Bears history even before he was drafted by them last year. His favorite player growing up was Walter Payton. Then when he was tasked with setting up a dinner reservation with the team brass before the draft, he used the alias of “James McMahon” in order to keep it under wraps. He knows about this team’s traditions.
He also knows about the rivalry too. That rivalry. There are other teams in the NFL and then there are the Green Bay Packers. These two organizations have battled for supremacy for nearly nine decades. What’s worse is the Packers have owned bragging rights for the last three of those decades. Chicago has been trying to fight back but without much success.
One of the reasons for this is their woes at quarterback. For years they’ve tried to find somebody who can stand up to the greatness of Brett Favre and now Aaron Rodgers. Yet nobody proved worthy. Erik Kramer tried. Jim Miller tried. Rex Grossman tried. Jay Cutler tried. Now it’s Trubisky’s turn. Is there any hope?
Very much so.
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Against division opponents, Mitch Trubisky was sharpest vs. Green Bay
Trubisky played in five of the six divisional games of 2017 last year. Against Detroit and Minnesota, he went for a combined 81-of-137 for 799 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions for a 70.79 passer rating. His lone game against Green Bay was considerably better, and not in the most ideal of circumstances either.
Despite being sacked five times, Trubisky went 21-of-35 for 297 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions and a 97.0 passer rating.
This is made all the more impressive since his leading receivers in that game were Dontrelle Inman, Josh Bellamy, and Kendall Wright. If Trubisky can put up almost 300 yards in a game with that trio, imagine what he might be able to do with guys like Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Anthony Miller on the field. Not to mention a far more aggressive and creative offensive system under Matt Nagy.
This won’t surprise those who’ve watched him since youth
The truth is Trubisky lives for the big rivalry games. It’s been true all the way back in his high school days. Mentor High School in Ohio has a long-standing beef with St. Ignatius. The two teams began playing each other back in 1989 and things escalated from there, with six meetings in the state championship playoffs. By far the most memorable came in 2012.
The two teams met in the quarterfinals in what would be one of the greatest games ever played in Ohio State High School playoff history. Mentor would win a 57-56 thriller in triple overtime, and the best player on the field was Trubisky. He threw for 411 yards, ran for 138 and accounted for six total touchdowns. He also secured the two-point conversion that won them the game.
It was no different in college too. North Carolina and North Carolina State have always had a heated rivalry. In any sport, not just football. The two teams had been on relatively equal footing since 2000 with each trading wins the previous two years prior to him taking over as the starter. The Tarheels weren’t able to get it done, losing 28-21.
That isn’t because Trubisky didn’t do his part. He threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns on the afternoon without an interception. He also rushed for an additional 55 yards. Despite losing the game, he was again the best player on the field.
Trubisky should and likely will bring his best in Green Bay
This will be his first foray into Lambeau Field. The last drafted Bears QB to go into that stadium and win on his first try was Rex Grossman, their previous 1st round pick back in 2003. He went in there in 2004 and had a modest game with 132 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He was aided by 182 rushing yards and a stout effort from the defense who allowed just 10 points.
Trubisky shouldn’t count on those benefits this time around. Not with Aaron Rodgers or that stout Packers run defense. This game will be determined by how well he can perform with his new weapons and system. If it’s an improvement on what he did last year? The Bears will win the game.
