Detroit Lions, NFC North positional previews: Quarterbacks
Chicago Bears
Key returning players: Mitchell Trubisky, Chase Daniel
New additions: None
Key losses: None
Year three can represent a critical junction in the career of NFL quarterbacks. Just look at the Lions’ Matthew Stafford who eclipsed 5,000 passing yards and reached the playoffs for the first time in his third campaign. The Chicago Bears will be looking for some major steps forward from third-year signal caller Mitchell Trubisky this year as well.
Trubisky was noticeably better in year two, supported heavily by the Bears overwhelming defense, which kept him from having to lead too many come-from-behind drives. But there is a lot of room for improvement, particularly in his intermediate ball accuracy and his ability to generate more big plays in the passing game. Bears head coach Matt Nagy has the creative pedigree to help him get there.
Trubisky has shown a excellent knack for extending plays with his feet, racking up an impressive 421 yards in the ground in addition to three rushing touchdowns last year. Ideally, Trubisky would take the next step in trusting his arm and his receivers, and not have to rely on his feet as much.
No team wants to lose their starting quarterback for any stretch, and the Bears had to take the field without Trubisky twice in 2018. However, few teams are in the kind of shape that the Bears are in with their backup passer.
Chase Daniel, who played for Nagy with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013-2015 when Nagy was his quarterbacks coach, is as close to an ideal backup quarterback as you’ll find. He knows the system inside and out, and was even able to rack up an impressive win against the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving last year in one of the games that Trubisky missed. He is a valued voice for the young starter as well, thanks largely to his experience within Nagy’s scheme.
The Bears will be favored by many to repeat as NFC North champions this season, and for good reason. They have talent and depth up and down the roster. It could be the play and development of Trubisky, however, that determines whether they reach their first Super Bowl since 2007.
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Which NFC North team do you think has the best quarterback situation? Let us know in the comments section below.