Many are wondering if the Chicago Bears sitting their starters in the preseason is a mistake. A 32-13 loss to the New York Giants didn’t help and answers likely won’t come until the regular season.
Sitting Starters in Preseason a Mistake by the Bears?
Quarterback Questions
Mitchell Trubisky not taking a snap in the preseason could be a lost opportunity for a player that seems to need it. The Bears kicking quandary has taken center stage all summer and took another twist with the release of Elliott Fry after his miss versus New York. But Trubisky’s development is far and away more important to the success of this season.
So it stood to reason he would see at least a series in week two after taking three total snaps, all hand-offs, in week one against the Carolina Panthers. Matt Nagy and the coaches, though, opted for health over preseason reps. They followed a similar strategy prior to last season. Now they seem to be taking it to the next level.
Mitchell Trubisky is unlikely to play much in the preseason, but he is tested plenty practicing with the Bears defense. He added: "We trusted the process last year going through the preseason and it worked out for us. I feel really comfortable with where I'm at in the offense."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 13, 2019
Critics of the Bears young quarterback can point to his lackluster finish to the season when he threw one or fewer touchdowns in four out of five games. His truthers can claim conservative play-calling; he had 30-plus pass attempts in seven of 10 games prior to his week 11 injury, and only once in four games upon returning. The defense also limited opposing offenses to two total touchdowns over those four contests.
But Trubisky’s numbers against playoff teams were less than promising even given the baked-in reasonings given by supporters. He averaged 236 yards on 59 percent completion (23 of 39) and more picks than touchdowns (1.5 to 1.75) in four games against those teams, including the Wild Card loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nagy has already said he is comfortable with Trubisky not throwing another pass this preseason. The third-year signal-caller has said he would be comfortable throwing no passes or fifty, before conceding the unlikelihood of the latter happening. And everyone (on the inside) has raved over his supposed command of the system during camp.
No Worry From Within
Indeed, it seems the only ones concerned about Trubisky’s lack of exposure seems to be those whose investment in the outcome is purely editorial. For those with opinions of Trubisky that are already negative this decision provides fuel to that fire. His supporters can just wrap themselves up in the health-over-reps refrain.
Sitting the rest of the starters isn’t beyond reproach either. The offense could all stand to get on the same page. And the defense is still breaking in a new coordinator despite all the positive reviews they have generated throughout camp. A drive or two, maybe even a quarter, doesn’t seem like too much to ask of a team with a ton on the line in 2019.
Most consecutive passes without an INT to close 2018:
1. Deshaun Watson: 205
2. Lamar Jackson: 121
3. Matthew Stafford: 116
4. Sam Darnold: 114
5. Mitch Trubisky: 83
6. Jared Goff: 77— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 18, 2019
A quick perusal of the injury report, though, possibly sheds some positive light on the decision. Tight end Trey Burton is recovering from sports hernia surgery, Anthony Miller tweaked an ankle in camp, and rookie receiver Riley Ridley has been recovering from an injured hammy. They are expected to be fine for the opener against the Green Bay Packers. But it’s enough to pause on risking further injury.
Kyle Long also got into a fight and punished by not traveling with the team to New York. And Cody Whitehair injured a finger too, so Trubisky’s protection would not have been at full strength anyway. The headlines would have been brutal had Nagy trotted his passer out there with backups on the line and he got injured.
Good luck convincing Nagy and friends their way isn’t the right way. If it produces another leap from the team (a playoff win, anyone?) then all will be well on the lakefront. We might even see more and more teams follow suit. Many are already on board with the methodology.
Bears Sitting Starters a Mistake?
Most young quarterbacks are on rebuilding teams with plenty of holes and a ways to go before competing. Chicago is in the unique situation where their time is now but their quarterback may not be ready, or worse, not good enough. If the Bears are making a mistake, we won’t find out in week three versus the Indianapolis Colts. Trubisky, one of 12 starting quarterback not to throw a pass in preseason, won’t play in that one either. No starters will.
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