This season has been a whirlwind in many ways, especially for Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who has experienced a lot over the last year.
After winning the starting job over Nick Foles in training camp, Trubisky led his team to a 2-0 record before being benched midway through the Atlanta Falcons game in Week 3, where Foles took over for the next seven weeks.
But Trubisky got another chance to prove himself when he took over for an injured and struggling Foles just four weeks ago, and this offense has looked different ever since.
Over the last four games, the Bears offense has gone from one of the worst to one of the best units in the NFL. Chicago is averaging 31.0 points during that span, and they’ve found an offensive identity that starts with running the football, which can alleviate pressure off any quarterback.
“I feel very comfortable right now,” Trubisky told reporters Wednesday. “I think we keep getting better each week as an offense, which is important. We’re gaining confidence as a unit and right now, we’re executing at a high rate, which helps consistency across the board. And we’ve been efficient. So I definitely feel comfortable. And I’m very confident with where we’re at, mindset with the guys and how we’re handling each week.”
It certainly helps that head coach Matt Nagy has taken a step back, handing over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor with the Bears catering the offense to fit their players’, including Trubisky’s, strengths.
Trubisky has looked more confident and more decisive in his play, where his input in how the offense should run has been huge for the turnaround. This year has been a learning experience for Trubisky, who realized the importance of speaking up to his coaches and letting them know these are the things he does well and that running the football more with David Montgomery, getting tight end Cole Kmet more involved and utilizing Trubisky’s mobility are things this offense should’ve been doing.
“I would say I just wanted to control my own destiny,” Trubisky said. “I’m controlling what I can control at this point and I’m just trying to take control of my career and put it in the direction I want it to go. Sometimes you’ve got to be a little more assertive and speak up for what you want to happen, for what you believe in. And just go out there and continue to put the team first, like I have. Just continue to work hard, try to perfect my craft, keep getting better each and every day. But there was a little switch that flipped in the beginning where I just had to get that edge a little bit to where I’ve got to take control of my own destiny at this point.”
The Bears declined Trubisky’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, which made his future in Chicago uncertain. But Trubisky’s play over the last month has many wondering if the Bears would re-sign him to a short-term deal in 2021. Especially considering this Chicago offense has looked so good over the last few weeks.
At this point, it feels like Trubisky is playing himself into a new contract — whether that’s with the Bears or elsewhere in 2021.
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