Featured: Why the Mitchell Trubisky pick isn't as bad as it seems
On Thursday April 27th, a decision made by Chicago Bears General Manager shocked the whole world and changed the outlook of the whole first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears moved up one spot, sacrificed a 2017 third and fourth round pick, along with a 2018 third round pick in order to move up one spot and select North Carolina Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. This is something that has left people scratching their heads. This is about to be the most hotly debated topic in the Windy City for years to come. It could be the best thing ever or it could be the worst thing ever.
The Bears needed a true franchise signal-caller in the worst way possible. Probably even more so than the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, or San Francisco 49ers. Each of those teams, prior to the beginning of the draft already had someone young or experienced to place under center. The Jets had both Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg as young, already developing prospects, the Browns had Cody Kessler and Brock Osweiler, and the 49ers signed two former Chicago Bears Quarterbacks in Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley. During the free agency period, in an effort to address the most important position in the game, the Bears paid Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup Mike Glennon a ton of money to be their new starter, signed former Jets starter and Cowboys backup Mark Sanchez to a deal, all after finally releasing eight year veteran Jay Cutler.
In today’s NFL, if you don’t have a Quarterback, you don’t win. It’s just a sad and unfortunate reality that exists.
It’s easy to say that Chicago should have taken Safety Jamal Adams, drafted Defensive Lineman Solomon Thomas, or selected Cornerback Marshon Lattimore. All three of whom would have filled in significant roster holes that existed. Yet, the Bears opted to go with a quarterback, simply because the front office knew that it was the next step and an absolutely necessary move in order to move into the next phase of a long and complicated rebuilding project. The Bears had already spent a significant amount of money in 2016 trying to overhaul the defense, bringing in players like Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman, and Akiem Hicks. Now they needed to find more players to fill in holes that existed on the offensive side of the ball. Free Agency and the Draft is where they’d have to start.
The contract the Bears gave Mike Glennon meant that he wasn’t intended to be the long term solution in Chicago. He was meant to be someone who would fill in a role for a year before a new face was ready to takeover under center. Even though GM Ryan Pace has stated that veteran Mike Glennon will be the starter next season, there’s no guarantee that Glennon remains starter throughout the 2017 season. Look for Trubisky to challenge Glennon from day one.
Considering what other teams like Kansas City, who gave up two first round picks, to get their quarterbacks, the Bears gave up nothing for Trubisky. Then on day two, Ryan Pace traded down and regained those mid to late round picks that he had given up the night before.
Even though it seems like it, Chicago did not give up its whole farm system. They did decide to go all in on a Quarterback with just thirteen career starts. Trubisky may not be ready to start from day one, he’ll need time to grow and develop, a challenge that he’s willing to take on before he becomes a starter. Considering everything that he went through at North Carolina, Trubisky will most likely be penciled in as the Bears starter in 2018.
For a franchise that desperately needed a new signal caller, the Bears went all in and traded up for Trubisky. If this pick pans out, there’ll be another new superstar in Chicago in addition to the World Series Champion Cubs.
Follow @usaydkoshul on Twitter for updates.
