Successful NFL quarterbacks do more than just throw pretty spirals for touchdowns on Sundays. They lead locker rooms and earn their teammates’ trust and confidence.
There are plenty of reasons why an argument can be made that Mitch Trubisky isn’t a successful NFL quarterback. At least, not yet. He hasn’t thrown enough of those pretty spirals for touchdowns through his first three seasons in the league, but if Sunday’s clutch fourth-quarter comeback in Chicago’s 27-23 win over the Lions is an indication of what lies ahead, maybe the best is yet to come from Trubisky’s right arm.
What we do know, however, is that Trubisky has the Bears locker room in his corner. His teammates have continued to support him as the Bears’ starter, even when GM Ryan Pace traded for Nick Foles in the offseason.
Maybe Bears players believe in Trubisky because he believes in himself — and them.
According to tight end Jimmy Graham, Trubisky never wavered Sunday.
“It’s pretty special, man,” Graham said after the game. “The kid wants it. The kid believes. There was never a moment on that sideline where he wasn’t being completely positive about what we could and what we were going to do.”
Trubisky finished the game 20-of-36 for 242 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his scores came in the fourth quarter with the Bears trailing 23-6.
It was a special win for Trubisky that will only strengthen the faith players like Graham already have in him.