UNC in the NFL: Mitchell Trubisky to start for Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears bench Mike Glennon in favor of rookie Mitchell Trusbisky
Well, we all knew it was coming sooner or later.
On Monday morning, the Chicago Bears announced their decision to bench former starting quarterback Mike Glennon for first round draft pick Mitchell Trubisky.
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The Bears apparently thought that later was the better option. After a 1-3 start, though, it may be too little, too late for a team that has finally decided to play its promising rookie quarterback over the veteran free agent acquisition that came with a $16 million price tag in 2017.
After four games, three of which found the Bears on the losing end of the box score, Glennon has been less than stellar, to say the least.
The fifth-year quarterback out of North Carolina State has completed 66.4 percent of his passes, but has a career-low yards-per-pass attempt average of 5.95.
He’s thrown for a meager 833 yards after the first quarter of the season and has accounted for just four touchdowns in those games. Throw in his five interceptions and three fumbles, and it’s clear that the Bears have more than enough evidence to suggest that Glennon is not the answer at quarterback.
Insert rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and obvious fan favorite to start at quarterback this season.
The former Tar Heel signal caller had an impressive run in the preseason, passing for 364 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He put up a 106.2 passer rating and, frankly, looked more capable of handling the Bears’ offense than their would-be starter.
It was Glennon that the team went with, though. And after three losses, two of which came in blowout fashion, the Bears are sitting in the NFC North cellar behind a pair of 3-1 teams in Detroit and Green Bay.
Trubisky’s first game will be under the bright lights of Monday Night Football against division rival Minnesota. Fortunately for him, the Vikings have one of the worst pass defenses in the league, allowing nearly 250 passing yards per game and a 67.8 percent completion rate in their first four games.
Next: Five-star prospect considering North Carolina
Stick with Keeping It Heel for complete and comprehensive coverage of Trubisky’s first NFL game starting under center.