There is plenty of pessimism around the Chicago Bears quarterback position these days. Critics say they still can’t get anything right. Mitch Trubisky is hurtling towards bust territory after such a promising start to his career. Now GM Ryan Pace is trying to save a championship defense by making a trade for Nick Foles, the former Super Bowl MVP who flamed out after one season in Jacksonville.
Why should anybody believe this career journeyman who had half of a good season in 2017 can save the most maligned QB position in the sport? Namely, because he’s no stranger to adversity. He had to transfer from his original school in college. He had to navigate the Chip Kelly era in Philadelphia and then got benched after being traded to the listless St. Louis Rams. Then he accepted life as a backup before rising from the ashes to win a championship.
So this latest chapter is just another challenge.
David Carr of NFL.com, a former quarterback himself who dealt with a lot of adversity, seems optimistic the 30-year old Foles will be much more than what the Bears and the critics expect.
“Bears fans have wondered for months now: Will Mitchell Trubisky be our starting quarterback in 2020? Well, I think you have your answer. Trubisky will likely take a backseat to Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles. Trubisky has struggled going through his reads and getting the ball to the open guy, while Foles excels at ripping through his progressions to find the right target. The veteran quarterback has done that for so long that I’m convinced he could stay in quarantine for six months, roll out of bed and run Matt Nagy’s offense well.
I realize Foles is coming off an injury-abbreviated nightmare year with the Jaguars, but that’s a thing of the past. In Chicago, he will have better offensive weapons and a ferocious defense that will routinely provide good field position. Right now, I see Foles having one of his best seasons.
2020 production: 65 percent completion rate, 4,000 pass yards, 28 TDs, 5 INTs.”
Nick Foles doesn’t have to be Superman to win with Bears
That stat line would not just be unexpected, it would be historic from a franchise perspective. No QB in Bears history has ever reached the 4,000-yard mark and only two managed to throw at least 28 touchdowns. So one could unequivocally say that would be the best passing season a Chicago quarterback has ever had. Will it happen? Probably not. That said, it’s not like Foles will have to be otherworldy to win.
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Trubisky threw just 17 touchdowns in 2019 and the Bears still managed to go 8-8. If Foles can deliver an efficient year similar to what Trubisky managed in 2018? This team has a good enough defense to take care of the rest. It comes down to whether head coach Matt Nagy’s system really was handcuffed by the quarterback or not. The best thing for them to do is find the best possible protection for Foles and another weapon or two.
Things will be interesting, if nothing else.
