The Chicago Bears 2020 draft plans almost certainly didn’t include quarterbacks when this season began. However, after two-straight weeks of watching Mitch Trubisky continue to look like he did back in 2017, people are starting to wonder if he just doesn’t have what it takes to handle the speed of the NFL. No quarterback should need this many excuses to play well. At what point is enough going to be enough?
The next five weeks will arguably be the most crucial stretch of Trubisky’s career. Chicago will play three of the lesser pass defenses in the NFL during that stretch in Washington (25th), Oakland (32nd), and New Orleans (18th). If he fails to perform even modestly well in those conditions, GM Ryan Pace will be forced to accept the possibility that his calculated gamble on the former #2 overall pick didn’t work out.
At that point, he’ll have a decision to make. Does he try to find a quick fix in free agency next year or does he try the draft again, albeit without a 1st round pick? If it’s the latter, he’s almost certain to look at LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Here is what he will likely see on film.
Chicago Bears 2020 draft look at Joe Burrow
Strengths:
- Size isn’t an issue. Has the necessary height and overall body build an NFL quarterback will need.
- Arm strength is solid. He doesn’t have a gun but he can make most of the required throws in a playbook.
- Experienced and mechanically polished. Shows quality footwork in the pocket.
- Throwing technique is very good. Quick release with no wasted motion that limits chances of a forced fumble.
This is such a good play. Burrow goes off play action. So he literally has his back to the defense. When he turns around, a blitzer is just a couple feet away. He processes this with remarkable speed, knows where his outlet is, and gets the ball out to the tight end right as he’s getting hit. This leads to a first down that probably should’ve been a sack.
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- Field vision shows up a lot. Often is able to find the open man on his second, third, and fourth reads.
- Tended to get pressured a lot behind iffy protection but still kept his eyes down the field and delivered good throws.
- Accurate passer. Several times he showcased precise ball placement despite tight coverage from opposing defensive backs.
- Gutty and tough. Withstood a lot of hits and shows poise in pressure situations, delivering some strong drives late in games.
- While not a pure runner, he’s plenty mobile enough to make plays with his legs if the situation requires.
Weaknesses:
- Deep ball can best be described as average. Accuracy is inconsistent and he has a tendency to overthrow the receivers too much.
- Internal clock is slow at times. Allows pressure to set in before he starts the process of getting the ball out.
- Was clobbered a lot from the backside by defenders. Show he lacks a strong ability to sense pressure.
- Complex coverages have often fooled him into some really bad decisions that were either intercepted or should’ve been intercepted.
- Tends to struggle against well-coached defenses. Can’t sustain drives and seems to get impatient at times.
Pro comparison: Tony Romo
Romo never had the greatest arm as a passer but he had enough of one combined with good accuracy and poise under pressure. He was slippery as a runner and often was able to scramble around making things happen. Romo could deliver some amazing performances but always seemed to have one terrible decision loaded in the gun. It was a matter of where and when it came. Burrow exhibits similar qualities.
Projection: 2nd round
The way Burrow is currently playing, it’s possible he could move into the 1st round conversation before next April. As things stand, he is a Day 2 lock. His skill set isn’t quite “elite” but it is good to really good across the board. If things progress as they should and he lands in a favorable situation, he has a chance to become a solid starter in the NFL for a long time.
