Tag: Mitch Trubisky

Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky issues challenge, says offense is ‘wasting’ their talent

Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky issued a message to his offense: They’re wasting their talent.

For all of the hype surrounding the Chicago Bears heading into 2019, the offense feels like an empty promise. They had all of the talent on paper — a young quarterback destined to take a leap in his third year, stability on the offensive line, a slew of young playmakers poised for breakout seasons and a young play-caller that kept promising advancement to the Football 202 level.

And yet, after 11 mediocre weeks of futility, here we are. Expected to believe results are still on the way, even as it feels like this offense takes one step forward and three steps backward on a weekly basis.

The problem goes far beyond the quarterback, who is a problem in his own right. It also lies with the offensive line, the nonexistent run game, the receivers that are near the top of the NFL in dropped passes, the tight end group that is mediocre at best and invisible at worst and the offensive genius that is too stubborn to adapt his offense to the strengths of his quarterback.

So even flashes, like Sunday in an unimpressive 19-14 win over the New York Giants, aren’t enough. Take it from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who seemed to issue a challenge to the Bears offense following the victory.

“Enough is enough; it’s the sloppiness, the mistakes, everything,” Trubisky said, via The Athletic. “It has to stop. We’ve got to get better as an offense. We have too much talent and we’re wasting it because we’re hurting ourselves. So we’ve just got to be better, and if everybody does their job, I think we’ll be fine and I think that’s what you see in the third quarter coming out.”

The fact that the Bears offense is “wasting” their talent feels like a bold declaration by Trubisky.

“Wasted opportunities” could be the slogan for Chicago’s offense in 2019, which hasn’t been able to capitalize on the talent in place. It’s not that the talent isn’t there, it’s that it hasn’t been utilized to this point, which is even more frustrating.

While 11 games seems a little too late to issue such a challenge, the Bears offense doesn’t have anywhere to go but up at this point.

They’ll get another crack at the Detroit’s struggling defense on Thursday, although it’s always difficult to beat the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving, so the Bears will have their work cut out for them.

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Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky shines in two-minute offense

As Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky look destined for another disappointing performance, he found success in the Bears’ hurry-up offense.

Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has found comfort in the Bears’ two-minute offense, which was on display in Chicago’s unimpressive 19-14 victory over the Giants.

While Trubisky had his share of ups and downs against the Giants, he was at his best when the Bears operated out of their hurry-up offense. Given the struggles of Chicago’s offense this season, Trubisky might’ve provided some insight as to how the Bears offense can find success moving forward.

“I can just see the defense; not thinking as much,” Trubisky said, via the Sun-Times. “Guys are in their spots, worried about the play clock. You’re just seeing space, you’re seeing the defense and you’re just kind of reacting.

“It’s something I’ve been doing my whole life, so it’s more natural for me. But it shouldn’t be any different than [working out of] the huddle, if we just have that tempo and urgency and everybody is mindful of doing their jobs, they should have the same result. But I think just the comfort level that we have with our two-minute offense is a strength of our offense right now.”

Matt Nagy would do well to replicate the tempo of the hurry-up offense as it’s something that gets Trubisky into a rhythm and playing his best football.

Look no further than the first three possessions of the second half, where the Bears scored on a 56-yard touchdown drive, an 88-yard field goal drive and a three-yard touchdown drive, to give the Bears a 19-7 lead. During that span, Trubisky completed 9-of-11 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown for a 149.1 passer rating.

The recipe for success for this Bears offense is simple, yet not simple: Utilize tempo to get into a rhythm.

“That’s what it is, just getting guys in and out, playing fast,” Trubisky said. “[The defense] can’t substitute and we’re not substituting either, so everybody knows where their spots are at and we’re playing fast. I think that’s when guys play free and guys are getting in the right spots and making plays.”

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Bears WR Allen Robinson lifts Bears offense in win vs. Giants

Things were ugly on offense for the Bears, but they were made better by the performance of WR Allen Robinson in a winning effort vs. Giants.

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While things were certainly ugly for the Chicago Bears offense against the New York Giants, they could’ve been much uglier if not for wide receiver Allen Robinson.

Robinson was quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s target of choice, and for good reason, as he caught six passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 19-14 victory over the Giants.

“It’s just about finishing strong — not even me personally, but helping this team push through all the adversity,” Robinson said, via the Sun-Times. “It’s always fun to have a game like that and have everything be clicking.

“Throughout these last five games, [I’m] trying to have a few more games like that. Hopefully it transfers to some wins.”

Robinson accounted for nearly half of Trubisky’s 278 passing yards, and it would’ve been more if not for a Cody Whitehair hands to the face penalty that negated a Trubisky to Robinson 60-yard completion.

“Of course it’s frustrating whenever you have any play that’s negated, but you’ve gotta move on and make more plays,” Robinson said. “Stuff like that happens. There could be a flag almost every play.”

At this rate, Robinson, who has 63 receptions for 764 yards and four touchdowns, is poised to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season.

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Bears organization has ‘serious confidence’ in QB Mitchell Trubisky

While Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky has faced a ton of scrutiny this season, the Bears organization still believes in their young QB.

For those Bears fans hoping that 2019 would be the last they’d see of beleaguered quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in Chicago, you might want to sit down.

While Trubisky has garnered plenty of scrutiny for his erratic play this season, the Bears organization has “serious confidence” in their young quarterback moving forward, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

While Trubisky deserves his share of the blame for the offense’s struggles, he’s far from the only person struggling on offense, which the Bears organization understands. Whether it’s the offensive line in pass protection or run blocking or the receivers — and now tight ends — who continue to drop passes or play-calling on Matt Nagy’s part, it’s been a collective disappointing effort by the Bears.

It would be easy if Trubisky were the only problem on offense. That would mean that it would’ve been a quick fix awhile ago. But everything around Trubisky isn’t working, which has led to a disappointing output where the Bears offense ranks 30th in the league.

Trubisky was always going to be on the roster next season as he’s heading into the fourth year on a rookie deal that’s fully guaranteed. But how the Bears choose to address the quarterback position in the offseason will be intriguing to say the least.

Will they bring in a veteran to compete for the job? Will they turn to the NFL Draft for another project? Or will they — hopefully not — choose to stick it out with just Trubisky and Chase Daniel in 2020?

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5 takeaways from Bears’ 19-14 win over Giants

Here are five takeaways we learned from the Bears’ 19-14 victory over the Giants, including the return of Khalil Mack.

The Chicago Bears (5-6) followed up a disappointing loss with a 19-14 win over the struggling New York Giants (2-9), although it certainly was anything but pretty.

While the Bears were plagued by the same self-inflicted mistakes and missed opportunities that cost them last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, this time they were struggling against a stumbling Giants team that had issues of their own.

The Bears defense has held opponents to 17 points or less in four of the last five games, and this time their offense was able to take advantage despite the sheer amount of missed opportunities left out on the field. But a win is a win, even if it’s an ugly one against a Giants team going nowhere.

Here are my five takeaways from the Bears’ 19-14 win over the Giants.

1. Mitchell Trubisky shines in hurry-up offense

Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

While Mitchell Trubisky certainly didn’t have a great game, he stacked another solid performance, even if the statistics don’t necessarily indicate it. Trubisky certainly had some ugly moments — including two interceptions — but it was during the Bears’ hurry-up offense where the young quarterback stood apart from his struggles.

Trubisky is at his best when he’s in up-tempo situations where he doesn’t have to think and just plays football, and he certainly shined in those moments where the Bears ran their no-huddle offense.

While Trubisky’s statline isn’t anything to marvel at — 25-of-41 for 278 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, as well as one rushing touchdown — it was definitely another step in a positive direction for Trubisky in a struggling offense.

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Week 12 NFL picks: Who are the experts picking in Bears vs. Giants?

The Bears will host the Giants on Sunday, and the experts have overwhelmingly sided with one team.

The Chicago Bears (4-6) will host the New York Giants (2-8) as the Bears look to rebound from a disappointing loss in Week 12 and the Giants look to end their six-game losing streak.

The experts are feeling confident about the Bears’ chances against a struggling Giants team as 88 percent of experts polled believe the Bears will beat the Giants on Sunday, according to NFL Pick Watch.

Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who left last Sunday’s game against the Rams with a hip pointer, will get the start for Chicago and look to continue a string of good performances in what’s been a disappointing third season for the young quarterback.

There’s no better time than against a Giants defense that has been torched over the last several games. But the Bears will need more than just Trubisky. They’ll need the whole offense working on the same page.

Can the Bears offense take advantage of a bad Giants defense? Can the Bears defense stop Saquon Barkley? Can the Bears avoid the devastation that would come with a loss to the lowly Giants?

We’ll see Sunday when the Bears and Giants kick things off at noon CT on FOX.

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Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky will start vs. Giants

Just days after suffering a hip pointer against the Rams, Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky is good to go and will start against the Giants Sunday.

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is good to go for Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants.

Less than a week after suffering a hip pointer in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Trubisky put in a full week of practice, including Friday, with no limitations, and he’s good to start for Sunday’s game.

Bears coach Matt Nagy said earlier this week if Trubisky was cleared to play that he’d “absolutely” be the starter against the Giants.

Trubisky has struggled mightily this season, where he ranks last in the leagye in passing yards per game (175.6), last in yards per attempt (5.6) and tied for 26th in pass TDs (9), among 33 quarterbacks.

Since Week 8, the Bears are averaging 14.3 points per game, which is second to last in the NFL during that time.

Trubisky has put together back-to-back solid performances against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams before suffering a hip injury. And going up against a Giants defense that has been terrible this season, Trubisky is hoping to make it a third.

As for the rest of the Bears’ injury report, right tackle Bobby Massie (back) is a full-go against the Giants. Linebacker Isaiah Irving (quad) practiced in full on Friday and is officially questionable for Sunday.

Meanwhile, tight end Adam Shaheen (foot) and linebacker Danny Trevathan (elbow) have been ruled out.

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4 bold predictions for Bears’ Week 12 matchup vs. Giants

Can the Bears contain Saquon? Will Mitchell Trubisky continue his positive string of performances? Our Bears’ bold predictions vs. Giants.

The Chicago Bears (4-6) are coming off a deflating 17-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (6-4), a loss that essentially ended any playoff hopes in a stacked NFC.

The Bears will be looking to get back on track against the struggling New York Giants (2-8), who have lost six straight games.

While this is definitely a game that the Bears should win, that hasn’t been the case this season. Chicago will need to reduce the missed opportunities and self-inflicted mistakes that doomed them against the Rams if they’re going to beat the Giants.

Here are four bold predictions for the Bears’ Week 12 matchup:

1. Bears defense holds Saquon Barkley under 70 yards rushing

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Despite losing defensive tackle Akiem Hicks to injured reserve, the Bears run defense has remained solid this season. But they’ll face a familiar challenge this week when they go up against New York Giants running back Saturn Barkley.

Last season, Barkley rushed for 125 yards on a Bears defense that included Hicks. But it won’t be a cakewalk for Chicago’s defense, who nearly gave up 100 yards on the ground to Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley last week.

After starting the season with back-to-back 100-yard performances, Barkley hasn’t been able to surpass 72 yards since returning from an ankle injury. And the trend will continue as the Bears will hold him to under 70 yards on Sunday.

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Matt Nagy: Mitchell Trubisky has ‘without a doubt gotten a lot better at the QB position’

While Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t lived up to expectations, he’s shown incremental improvement over the last two games.

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It’s been a rough year to be Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Not only has the third-year quarterback had to deal with shoulder and hip injuries, but he’s not even close to living up to expectations as the potential franchise quarterback in Chicago.

But if there’s anything positive to take out of these last two games, it’s that Trubisky has looked much better than in previous weeks, including three weeks ago when he led the Bears to the worst first half in the modern era.

“We’ve all put in a lot of time and energy and hard work to get where we’re at, [but] we’re not where we want to be,” said coach Matt Nagy, via the Sun-Times. “But I’ll say this: The last two weeks… he has without a doubt gotten a lot better at the quarterback position. Decision-making, throws — where he’s at the last two weeks has been a lot better.”

While Trubisky isn’t close to living up to the expectations the Bears had for him or those he’s had for himself, you have to acknowledge that he’s looked much better over these last two games. And Nagy hopes that, if Trubisky can go Sunday, it carries over into three games.

“I’m going to go back to what I really like — and what I’m sticking to and what I believe in — is the last two weeks, he’s growing in the right direction,” Nagy said. “So that’s where we’re at and … we want to put a good week together, get him healthy and hopefully get him out there this weekend to do it again.”

Trubisky appears to be recovering quickly from a hip pointer he suffered Sunday against the Rams, as he’s been a full participant both Wednesday and Thursday in practice.

While Trubisky is officially listed as day-to-day, all signs point to him starting Sunday against the Giants, where the Bears will be looking for him to continue his positive performance.

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