There was no giddy-up in this 2017 Chicago Bears season. There was no reason to believe this year’s model would be a significant improvement over 2016’s clanky, too-often-in-the-shop lemon. Then, in the first preseason game, a normally useless affair, the sun rose over a dark night sky. The narrative changed in an instant. There it was. There was the future. And that future was – dare we believe what are our eyes doth see – bright.
Last night the organization that drafted Mitch Trubisky went out of their way to shield their fans from that big, beautiful sun. Darkness returned. Mitch Trubisky didn’t get time with the first-string offense. Mitch Trubisky didn’t get time with the second-string offense. Mitch Trubisky was buried on the depth chart – behind two quarterbacks he’s infinitely better than – in a decision that was equal parts inane, irresponsible and indefensible.
Leaving Bruno Mars w/ one question for #Bears. Why did you want to see let less Trubisky instead of more Trubisky???
— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) August 20, 2017
INANE
Dear Ryan Pace,
Mike Glennon.
How much more do you need to see?
He hasn’t been any good in the games he’s played in the NFL. He hasn’t been any good in camp practices for the Bears. He hasn’t been any good in the two preseason games he’s started. When do you expect he’s going to suddenly become good? Is it going to happen between now and the start of the season? That’s not much time, Ry.
You had to see what we all saw last night. A running game getting bulk yardage and an offensive line dominating the line of scrimmage. Only one thing was missing. A capable quarterback. And you made the boldest move of the NFL Draft to acquire one! What the hell are you waiting for?
I know, I know you gave Glennon a boatload of cash. That was silly. But you’re in the clear on that now. Trubisky has given you a mulligan. There won’t be a single newspaper column criticizing you for making this move. You know why? Because nobody wants to see Glennon play a single snap for this franchise.
Trust your eyes. Glennon is awful. Make the move.
Love,
Jeff
IRRESPONSIBLE
Trubisky was forced to play with a collection of players who won’t be on the roster in two weeks. He was forced to play against a collection of players desperate to do anything to assure they don’t face the same fate in Arizona. And he paid for it.
We’ll remember this game for violent hits Mitch Trubisky took. Sacked twice, pulled down by facemask, hit below knees.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) August 20, 2017
This is the future of the franchise! Why would you subject him to this? What in god’s name does this organization think they’re proving with this “make him earn it” bullshit? I’ll tell you what they’re proving: they’re lost when it comes to handling a franchise quarterback.
Playing Trubisky with and against scrubs also serves no evaluative purpose. They are useless, dangerous reps. But it seems more than apparent the reason the Bears won’t be getting an accurate assessment of Trubisky is because they don’t want one.
INDEFENSIBLE
Here’s how Adam Hoge opens his excellent column for WGN Radio:
It’s time for the Chicago Bears to have a real quarterback competition.
That doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen, but it should.
Anybody with a remote control and a television tuned to either of the Bears’ first two preseason games can see who the most talented quarterback on the roster is — it’s the one that was playing in the fourth quarter Saturday night in Arizona.
And the Bears know that already. That’s why they traded up to draft Mitch Trubisky No. 2 overall in April.
If the Bears don’t give Trubisky a chance to be the starting quarterback, I won’t blame any Bears fan who decides to stay home when the Falcons come to town in September. If the Bears aren’t willing to put their best players on the field, why should you drop hundreds of dollars on the experience of watching them?
Go to a bar. Watch the Bears on TV. Because the bartender isn’t going to keep the cold Old Styles in the basement while serving you warm Schlitz. You know why? He knows you won’t come back.
The Bears have a chance to remedy this egregious error. In one week they’ll play their third preseason game – important if you believe Denny Green – against the rising Tennessee Titans. Start Trubisky. Start him. Give him three series behind professional offensive linemen. Three series throwing to professional wide receivers. Three series with a professional running game. Stop being afraid of the obvious. Start embracing the future.
The Bears are one decision away from turning 2017 into a exciting football season. How can the folks at Halas Hall be the only ones who don’t understand this?
