UNC Football Alumni: Mitchell Trubisky helps lead Bears to division title

Mitchell Trubisky is one of the reasons why the Chicago Bears have some hope going into the NFC Playoffs this year

In his first year as starting quarterback and second year in the league, former University of North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is a division champ and going to the NFL Playoffs.

Chicago’s 24-17 win over the Green Bay Packers Sunday at Soldier Field clinched the NFC North for the Bears for the first time since 2010 and completed a big worst to first turnaround. The Bears have finished dead last in the NFC North four-straight seasons until now.

General Manager Ryan Pace has done a tremendous job the past two offseasons of improving this team, beginning with trading up to draft Trubisky. After a slow start to the 2017 season, Pace decided to pair Trubisky with offensive-minded Matt Nagy this offseason.

The relationship has yielded nothing but positive results so far as Trubisky has impressed after rough start to the season.

He had his big breakout game in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing for 354 yards and 6 touchdowns in the blowout win. Trubisky threw just four interceptions in a six game span that saw the Bears go 4-2 and grab control of the NFC North.

During the Week 11 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, Trubisky suffered a shoulder injury causing him to miss two games. The Bears would go 1-1 in those games before Trubisky’s return for the Sunday Night Football win over the Rams.

Although Trubisky didn’t play well in that win, it gave Bears fans some hope that this team is a legit contender for the Super Bowl.

The addition of Khalil Mack to that defense has done wonders and made them the top unit in the league a year after finishing in the Top 10.

Trubisky would rebound with a nice performance over the Packers, finishing with 235 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. The quarterback made a great throw in the fourth quarter to a wide open Trey Burton to give the Bears the lead. They never let go as that defense was able to shut the door on Green Bay.

The biggest thing for the Bears offense has been the creativity with Trubisky’s athleticism. There are plenty of playmakers on this Bears offense including former North Carolina A&T standout Tarik Cohen.

But Trubisky’s athleticism has been on display throughout the year.

Trubisky has a total of 402 rushing yards and is among the top in the NFL among quarterbacks in that category. There have been several times where Trubisky has been able to keep plays alive using his feet and getting out of the pocket while sensing the pressure.

The Bears will host an NFC Playoff Game at Soldier Field this year, likely as the No. 3 seed and if Trubisky can continue to play well with this defense being as good as it is, they are a team that could shock some people come playoff time.

For more on Trubisky and other former UNC Football players in the NFL, please check back with Keeping It Heel.