Why it's time to go back to Mitchell Trubisky after the bye originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
If both Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky are healthy going into Week 12, Matt Nagy will have to decide which quarterback he names the starter against the Green Bay Packers. On one hand, Foles has looked like the more accurate passer, but on the other, Trubisky’s running ability gives the Bears a different dynamic. That may give the Bears a bit of juice as “dynamic” is probably the last word anyone would use to describe their offense now.
Sunday Night Football’s Chris Simms agrees it’s a difficult decision, but he’s not sold that either QB will be a difference maker for the team.
“It’s a tough one at this point,” Simms said. “I’m dumbfounded that we’re in this spot. I don’t know if either option is really going to matter now.
“We can look at it this way: Foles in the pocket, better than Trubisky definitely. A better thrower of the football. But can he really utilize all of his skillset and talent in that offense? I would say no. I don’t think they can deliver enough for him to take advantage of some of those strengths that he has there. Trubisky can run and make plays that way. That’s a little aspect that makes me want to say maybe you go back to Trubisky, and try a different approach on offense.
“I have been disappointed with Nick Foles and with what he has done managing the game in certain situations. But also, I feel for him because I know he’s been put in a lot of tough situations. It’s not easy to succeed as a quarterback in that Chicago offense.
“I actually think I would go back to Mitch at this point. His running, maybe you could implement a little more designed runs for him, and do a little more off of that. Where Foles, it’s pretty much shotgun, spread it out, quick passes, and the occasional shot down the field.
“But I don’t know if I have a right or wrong answer for you.”
The Bears initially benched Trubisky for Foles, as they thought the latter was better equipped to run Nagy’s offense. But over the last few weeks it’s become clear that Nagy’s offense isn’t well suited for the Bears’ talent (or lack thereof) on the offensive line.
Even when things have developed as Nagy drew them up, Foles hasn’t always executed well enough to help the offense. Just last week, Foles had a rare perfect pocket and a wide open Anthony Miller, but he threw an inaccurate ball. The pass glanced off of Miller’s hands and into the arms of a Vikings defender. Minnesota scored a touchdown with the short field, and the Bears ended up losing by six.
If we look at it from a purely statistical standpoint, Foles hasn’t been very good either. He’s only gained six yards per pass attempt, which is third-worst in the league among all QBs who have thrown over 100 balls. After earning praise for his accuracy and decision making, he’s turned in a 65% completion rate and a 10:8 TD:INT ratio. While he was running the show, Trubisky completed only 59.3% of his passes, but his TD:INT ratio was much more respectable at 6:3.
Since Foles hasn’t been a major upgrade from an efficiency standpoint-- and has actually made just as many mistakes without the touchdown upside-- the bye week may be the perfect time to switch back to Trubisky. Like Simms said, that at least gives the offense an extra dimension as Trubisky is always a threat to run.
No matter who starts at quarterback, all hope is not lost for the Bears to make the playoffs, no matter how awful things look in the middle of a four-game skid. Their defense is still playing at an elite level, and there are some teams with bad records coming up on the schedule. With an extra team qualifying for the postseason nine or 10 wins could get the Bears to the postseason. But if they want a chance, whoever plays quarterback is going to need to kick things into high gear.
