Few quarterbacks have gone through the kind of public trial that Chicago Bears starter Mitch Trubisky has since being selected second overall by GM Ryan Pace in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Pace was instantly criticized for trading up one spot for Trubisky, who most draft pundits declared would’ve been available for the Bears had they remained at their original pick, No. 3 overall.
Not long into Trubisky’s career, it became clear that the other two quarterbacks drafted in 2017’s first round — Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes — were superior talents. It isn’t Trubisky’s fault that Pace picked him first, but it is his cross to bear.
That’s why it makes so much sense that Trubisky isn’t focused on anything but ‘right now’ following the Bears’ Week 1 win over the Lions.
“If you’re focused on writing the story while you’re going through it, then you can kind of distract yourself,” Trubisky said after the game. “It’s better to just stay present and live in the moment.”
Bears fans would agree, especially when it comes to Trubisky and his volatile style of play.
Through three quarters in Sunday’s 27-23 victory, Trubisky looked destined to be replaced by Nick Foles, who he beat out during training camp’s high-profile quarterback competition. He was inaccurate, indecisive, and ineffective.
Then came three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including a game-winning 27-yard strike to Anthony Miller with less than two minutes remaining in the game, and hope in Trubisky is restored.
“I just looked off the safety, put it in a place where he could make the play, and he made a phenomenal catch,” Trubisky said.
Yes, Miller made a phenomenal catch. But it’s the throw that’s the real story. It may have been the best — and most important — of Trubisky’s career.
Now, Trubisky enters Week 2 as the hero. He’s earned the right to live in this moment.