Rodney Harrison comparing Mitchell Trubisky to Ryan Leaf is utterly ridiculous

Rodney Harrison compared Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky to one of the biggest busts in NFL history in QB Ryan Leaf, which is ludicrous.

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky can’t catch a break. Not only did the Bears decline his fifth-year option, but he’ll have to battle veteran Nick Foles for the starting job. Oh, and there’s another NFL analyst blasting him as a bust following one terrible season.

NBC Sports analyst Rodney Harrison appeared on NBC Sports Chicago’s Under Center Podcast, where he didn’t hold back when discussing Trubisky. He went as far to compare Trubisky to one of the biggest busts in NFL history in quarterback Ryan Leaf.

Context is always important in these situations. Harrison was discussing the open quarterback competition between Trubisky and Nick Foles, and he was talking about how he doesn’t believe Trubisky will get another opportunity to start in the NFL if he doesn’t start this year. He said Trubisky would be considered one of the biggest busts in NFL history if that were to happen. Then the Leaf comparison came.

“Let me tell you something, I’m an expert on quarterback busts — bad quarterbacks — because I played with Ryan Leaf,” Harrison said. “And I tell you, you just don’t have the patience for these young guys that just can’t play.”

The criticism surrounding Trubisky has been fair, especially when factoring in that the Bears passed on Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. But lumping Trubisky in with a notable NFL bust is ridiculous.

Trubisky has become everyone’s favorite whipping boy in the NFL. The quarterback that everyone loves to make fun of following an abysmal performance last season. While some of it is surely warranted following that terrible 2019 season, these analysts are using last season’s performance as his overall evaluation.

While Trubisky’s inconsistency has marred his short career, people tend to forget that he helped lead the Bears to a 12-4 record, division title, postseason berth and Pro Bowl appearance in his second season. Sure, Chicago’s dominant defense was a big factor in that success, but that doesn’t negate Trubisky’s contributions. Just as his horrible 2019 season doesn’t negate what he accomplished in 2018.

Comparing him to Leaf is ludicrous. Leaf’s NFL career lasted just 21 starts, where he posted a career record of 4-17. He tossed 14 touchdowns to 36 interceptions and had a completion percentage of 48 percent.

Looking at Trubisky, he’s completed 63.4% of his passes with 48 touchdowns to 29 interceptions with a 23-18 record in three seasons.

No one’s saying Trubisky is a great quarterback. But he’s also not a terrible quarterback. So comparing him to one of the biggest busts in NFL history is utterly ridiculous.

Although this isn’t the first time an NFL analyst has likened Trubisky to an NFL bust. ESPN’s Ryan Clark compared Trubisky to Leaf and JaMarcus Russell last September.

It was ridiculous then, and it’s ridiculous now.

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