With training camp just days away, we still don’t know what the 2020 NFL season will look like. While training camp is set to begin on time, the same can’t be said for the preseason.
The NFL and NFLPA finally agreed to COVID-19 safety protocols Monday, and it sounds like they’re close to finalizing negotiations to eliminate the preseason entirely in 2020.
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy has typically looked past the preseason, in regards to preparing his starters, but he changed his tune this offseason given the quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles.
The plan was to utilize reps in organized team activities, training camp practices and preseason games to determine Chicago’s starter, which would’ve been a good chunk of reps to make a decision. But with an entirely virtual offseason where Trubisky and Foles couldn’t get on the field with teammates at Halas Hall, it put a lot of pressure on those reps ahead of the regular season.
But now with the preseason presumably eliminated this year, that only allows for Trubisky and Foles to prove themselves in training camp practices.
If there’s anyone that benefits from this shortened offseason and no preseason, it’s Trubisky, who’s entering the final year of his rookie contract. Following a disappointing performance in 2019, many have already written him off. But he has one last chance to prove himself in Chicago, and the Bears have certainly put the pressure on him by bringing in Foles to compete for the starting job.
Given the smaller sample size, Trubisky certainly has an advantage over Foles. Trubisky is entering Year 3 of Nagy’s offense, and he’s been playing with most of Chicago’s skill position players for two to three years now.
Trubisky has also organized offseason workouts with teammates in the Chicago area ahead of training camp, which have included receivers Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller, running backs David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen, as well as new tight ends Cole Kmet and Demetrius Harris.
Nagy made it clear earlier this offseason that, when the quarterback competition finally begins, Trubisky will be the first one taking snaps with the first-team offense. He was also believed to be the first one to get preseason reps.
Although Trubisky’s struggles in training camp last year are well-documented and going against the Bears defense is certainly no walk in the park. Even if it is practice. Both Trubisky and Foles will certainly have their work cut out for them when the quarterback battle begins July 28.
[vertical-gallery id=450446]
[lawrence-related id=450696,450686,450606,450485,450561]