The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Trubisky headed to the Bears
Mentor grad: ‘I ended up in the right spot’
PHILADELPHIA >> For the critics who said he wasn’t worthy of a high pick with just 13 starts at North Carolina, Mitchell Trubisky has a message:
“Get ready to watch,” he said. “I’m just scratching the surface.”
Still, what unfolded in Philadelphia during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 27 has to be considered a stunner, even if Trubisky said otherwise.
A few hours before the start of the first round, Trubisky walked the red carpet near the top steps of the Philadelphia Museum with a huge smile.
That smile got even bigger when the Bears traded up from No. 3 to No. 2 overall to select the Mentor graduate and North Carolina quarterback.
Trubisky did not receive a phone call from the team prior to the Bears making the pick. Even more interesting: Trubisky and Chicago had “very little” discussions in pre-draft preparations. He wouldn’t describe what he called an “unreal” moment a stunner.
“I would say excitement, and more surprising,” said Trubisky. “I knew anything could happen. It was a waiting game as soon as the day started, so I was just waiting to hear my name called. Didn’t get a call, just saw the commissioner go right to the podium.
“I guess they had their eye on me and did their research,” said Trubisky.
“It’s a huge surprise. They were secretive, and I think they didn’t want a lot of teams knowing they were interested in me. I couldn’t believe it. It was unreal.”
Those in Northeast Ohio, and especially Lake County, wishing Trubisky would come home to the Browns had their hopes dashed, as Cleveland took Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett No. 1 overall.
Asked if he was disappointed he didn’t go the Browns, Trubisky said, “I ended up in the right spot, and that’s Chicago.”
Trubisky’s father, Dave, did not sound disappointed about his son’s next destination as a quarterback.
“They were at the top,” said Trubisky about the Bears being the landing spot for his son.
Trubisky has had an affection for the Bears for a while. Growing up, he said his favorite NFL player was the late Hall of Famer Walter Payton.
“I’m looking forward to wearing that Chicago Bears jersey,” said Trubisky. “The city of Chicago is my home now.”
Competition at QB should be interesting in the Windy City. When the team moved on from Jay Cutler after the 2016 season, the Bears signed free agent Mike Glennon, formerly of Tampa Bay, in the offseason. But with Trubisky in the fold as a No. 2 overall pick, it’s obvious he’s the future. Glennon, though, will likely be a stop-gap until Trubisky is ready.
“I’m just going in with the mindset to compete, and learn from my teammates,” said Trubisky. “I’ll be myself, and prove to everyone I love this game and earn their respect by working hard.
“I’m going into a great situation. Mike’s the starter, I look forward to learning from him. I just have to learn the offense as quick as possible and help the Chicago Bears win.”
An interesting Lake County connection formed when the Bears drafted Trubisky. He joins Brandon Staley, who’s the team’s outside linebackers coach. Staley is the former defensive coordinator at John Carroll, and, like Trubisky’s father Dave, is a Perry graduate.
“Let’s go!,” said Staley about Trubisky being drafted by the Bears.