YOUMIGHT BE LOOKING AT DREW 2
Bears are rallying around Trubisky, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Brees
When you trade up to draft a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, you do so with the hope and goal of forever changing your team for the better.
In that regard, Bears general manager Ryan Pace sees Mitch Trubisky as his new version of Drew Brees.
It’s the only standard to hold Trubisky to— Pace’s starting point for quarterbacks. Pace and Brees were together for nine years in New Orleans, including six when Pace was director of pro scouting.
After drafting Trubisky on April 27, Pace was asked how he met the Brees standard.
“It’s all the traits, as far as leadership— how he is with his teammates, what his work ethic is like— and all the physical traits as well,” Pace answered.
Trubisky’s physical traits haven’t amounted to much in his first three starts as the Bears protect his development with their running game and defense. But to Pace, a quarterback’s intangibles are just as important— and what make talented QBs truly special.
With Brees and the Saints up next for the Bears on Sunday, here’s a look at how Trubisky’s intangibles are changing the team:
His work ethic
Linebacker Danny Trevathan’s starting point for quarterbacks is Peyton Manning. The Broncos drafted Trevathan in 2012, the same year they signed Manning, already a four- time NFL MVP.
“I see a lot of Peyton Manning traits in [ Trubisky], staying and watching film,” Trevathan said. “That’s key. I used to watch Peyton a lot. He used to think I was a stalker. But I watched him a lot because that’s one of the greats, and I wanted to be like him, even though I was a linebacker.”
Trubisky’s work ethic— the old first- one- in, last- one- out cliché— impressed his teammates almost immediately. Rookie tight end Adam Shaheen roomed with Trubisky for months and often was asleep by the time he returned from Halas Hall.
That level of commitment