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The Mitchell Trubisky train is gaining steam with free agency approaching.
Trubisky has consistently had his name in headlines as he’s been connected with several other teams. ESPN said up to five could target him when the market opens next week.
As far as Pro Football Focus is concerned, they are not the biggest Trubisky fans. Instead, Las Vegas Raiders backup Marcus Mariota, who is in a similar position as Trubisky (looking for a starting job), is PFF’s pick.
The football analytics outlet called Trubisky an “overrated” free-agent QB option. Mariota was at the other end of the spectrum, called “underrated.”
First, here’s PFF’s breakdown on Trubisky:
Overrated: MITCHELL TRUBISKY
2021 team: Bills | Age entering 2022 season: 28Trubisky ranked third-to-last in passing grade across his four seasons starting for the Chicago Bears. No downfield passing, poor decision-making and inaccurate throws plagued Chicago’s offense with the 2017 No. 2 overall pick. It has been rumored that many quarterback-needy teams are interested in Trubisky’s services anyway, blaming some of the struggles on Matt Nagy. There’s enough data to show that the woes are a Trubisky problem.
Harsh.
Trubisky is looking to get his career back on track. Whether or not PFF’s analysis turns out to be correct, it’s amazing how much the narrative around Trubisky can change in one year.
Prior to joining the Bills, no one expected him to land… anywhere. That’s why he ended up being Buffalo’s backup to Josh Allen.
Now he’s pretty coveted. Incredible considering he did not play a meaningful snap in 2021.
Trubisky will be out to show he has taken steps to change during his year with the Bills. Regardless of the team that signs him, Trubisky will probably land a one-year “prove-it deal.”
Whichever team gives him the best path to becoming a starting QB on one of those deals will likely be the club he picks.
Stay tuned.
For those wondering on Mariota, here’s why PFF thinks he’s the better option:
Underrated: MARCUS MARIOTA
2021 team: Raiders | Age entering 2022 season: 28There is an argument to be made that Mariota is the most alluring free-agent quarterback on the market. That says a lot about the options out there, but if there has to be a choice, it’s Mariota. He has played meaningful NFL action in just one game over the last two years in Las Vegas — Week 15 of 2020 — and the results were quite good, as evidenced by his 82.1 PFF grade. However, prior seasons showed that he shouldn’t be counted on to produce at that level on a weekly basis. His career-best passing grade with the Titans (72.1) occurred in 2017, and it ranked 17th in the NFL. Mariota is the definition of a midtier option and could be seen as a bridge for a team with a rookie. His next team needs to employ a play-action-heavy offense that uses his skill in the designed run game.
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