Mitch Trubisky can sling the football. People should know that by now. He’s not another Blake Bortles or Tim Tebow who are just not all that accurate. His problems aren’t a simple lack of touch. It’s been a mechanical issue with him since the beginning. Don’t get it twisted. He has looked too much like a college passer at times this year. He hasn’t developed into a professional.
What’s the difference, you ask? There are a number of things but the most basic rests on his fundamentals. Are his feet in the proper position? Does he square the hips and follow through? It sounds overly complicated but this is often what separates the good throwers of the football from the good passers in the NFL. Trubisky is trying to bridge that gap.
Against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, he closed a lot of the distance. People probably didn’t notice. It’s understandable. Trubisky threw just 20 passes all day thanks to a dominant effort from the defense. Still, he had some sharp throws. Two in particular stood out both for their accuracy but also their execution.
Throw #1: Mitch Trubisky To Anthony Miller on 3rd and 10 for 19 yards
This throw demonstrates everything about Trubisky as a talent but also his development from a fundamental standpoint. It’s 3rd and long. He recognizes that the Bills are showing blitz and checks out of the original play. The ball is snapped and sure enough, the defense brings five. He doesn’t panic. After initially standing tall to survey, he steps up and to his left to avoid the rush.
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The past few weeks Trubisky would’ve run there but it was clear all game that he’d been coached to avoid such instances, both to preserve his health and to further his development at keeping the pass plays alive. He sees Miller open, squares his shoulders and fires a bullet between two defenders for a first down. People underestimate how difficult that type of throw actually is.
Throw #2: Trubisky To Trey Burton on 3rd and 15 for 26 yards
This was by far the most impressive throw of the game and one of his best as a Bear. Not so much because it was ridiculous but more because it demonstrated his continued advancement as a professional passer. Trubisky could’ve easily taken a check down here. Get some yards for a field goal attempt.
Instead he stands in there, facing down a strong rush from the Bills defense. Right before the defensive end gets there, with a hand in his face, Trubisky lofts the ball down the middle into a zone defense to hit Burton in stride for 26 yards. That’s what people love to call a “big boy” throw. Considering Trubisky has struggled with throws deep over the middle this year, that one was beyond encouraging.
