Trubisky keeps promise, rolls in with grandma’s car
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky already has kept one promise.
When general manager Ryan Pace met with Trubisky in March, he made him promise to drive his tan 1997 Toyota Camry with a North Carolina vanity plate to Halas Hall if the team drafted him.
On Thursday, he pulled the car — a hand- me- down from his grandmother — into the parking lot. On Friday, he’ll start the first of three days of rookie minicamp.
Trubisky first must master the basics. With the Tar Heels, he lined up in a shotgun formation more than 95 percent of the time. The team looked to the sideline for play calls, and Trubisky had to call out the blocking plan to his offensive linemen. UNC didn’t huddle often, either.
His ability to call a play in the huddle and line up under center will be tested at minicamp.
His leadership ability also will be tested. Unlike OTAs and mandatory minicamp practices later this offseason — where Mike Glennon will be present — Trubisky will lead the offense.
Royal cut, three waived
The Bears released wide receiver Eddie Royal, and it wasn’t much of a surprise. Injury- prone in his two seasons with the Bears — he started 10 games and caught 70 passes for 607 yards — Royal was due to make $ 5 million in the final season of a three- year, $ 15 million deal. The Bears cleared $ 5 million in cap space by releasing him.
Defensive lineman Will Sutton, who started 18 games in his three seasons, was the most noteworthy of the three players waived, alongside fullback Paul Lasike and center Cornelius Edison. The departure of the 2014 third- round pick leaves the Bears with only five of former GM Phil Emery’s selections still on the roster.
Two draft picks sign
The Bears’ fourth- and fifthround picks — running back Tarik Cohen and tackle Jordan Morgan — signed their rookie contracts. Their three other selections could reach deals by the start of rookie camp.
Roster additions
The Bears announced the signing of 13 undrafted free agents: Northern Illinois RB Joel Bouagnon, Old Dominion DL Rashaad Coward, Minnesota LB Hendrick Ekpe, Wyoming WR Tanner Gentry, Ball State basketball player-turned- TE Franko House, San Jose State LB Isaiah Irving, Florida International OL Dieugot Joseph, James Madison OL Mitch Kirsch, Utah K Andy Phillips, Coastal Carolina LB Alex Scearce, Oklahoma State WR Jhajuan Seales, Florida State FB Freddie Stevenson and Florida State WR Levonte Whitfield.
Invited to camp
Denard Robinson, the former Michigan quarterback who ran 263 times for 1,058 yards in four years as a Jaguars running back, will try out this weekend, as will former Stanford star rusher Tyler Gaffney.
Trevin Wade, who played cornerback for the Browns, Saints and Giants, also was among the veterans invited.
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