As the Chicago Bears begin their training camp this week, we’re taking a look at the positional battles that are likely going to develop on the practice fields of Bourbonnais.
Today, we’re taking a look at the team’s quarterback position.
The Starter:
Look, this isn’t rocket science, but it’s worth pointing out, just in case there are any fans unaware: Mitchell Trubisky is this team’s starter, and barring injury, he will be under center in Week 1 when the Bears welcome the Green Bay Packers to Chicago.
Beyond that obvious statement, there is plenty of be curious about in the coming year. Trubisky showed definite improvement in his game under first year head coach Matt Nagy, forming an instant rapport with wide receiver Anthony Miller and working well with Tarik Cohen and Allen Robinson II in the team’s offense.
This year he will have even more weapons to utilize, as speed threat Cordarrelle Patterson and rookie running back David Montgomery will join the squad for the 2019 campaign. Patterson will be a great weapon for Nagy to use in creative ways, and Montgomery could potentially be the Bears’ best dual-threat running back since Matt Forte was patrolling the Midway.
With those new weapons and the existing structure of Nagy’s offense, the pressure is going to be on Trubisky like never before, as he will be looked to for another year of massive improvement in his third NFL season.
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The big question for Trubisky is whether or not he can live up to that hype and that pressure. Yes, his 2018 season was solid, but he showed some growing pains as well, with frequent overthrows and occasional lapses in judgment marking his game at times for the Bears. Those have to be cut down on for the new year, and he has worked hard all offseason long to ensure that he’s ready to take that next step.
The Back-Up:
For the second year in a row, Chase Daniel will serve as Trubisky’s mentor, and although he did get some game action last season, the Bears are hopeful that he will remain in a headset and with a clipboard in his hand instead of his hands under center in 2019.
Daniel’s value to the Bears is immense, as he’s a great sounding board for Trubisky, a trusted opinion in the quarterback room for Nagy, and a capable back-up who earned the respect of his teammates with his performances in starts against the Lions and Giants a season ago.
The Odd Man Out:
It seems highly unlikely that Tyler Bray will be on the team’s roster come Opening Night in September, but he’ll get a serious look in preseason games, judging from Nagy’s cautious use of Trubisky during the preseason a year ago.
Whether he ends up on a practice squad or an NFL roster remains to be seen, but barring injury, Bray will be there to take a bunch of snaps during preseason games and nothing more.
