The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Trubisky: Trade shows Bears ‘believe in me’
Bears general manager Ryan Pace made a bold move to trade up for the quarterback he wanted.
LAKE FOREST, ILL. » Bears general manager Ryan Pace made a stunning and bold move to trade up for the quarterback he wanted.
He caught just about everyone off guard, including Mitchell Trubisky.
The Bears drafted their latest quarterback of the future in a shocker Thursday night, grabbing North Carolina’s Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick after trading up a spot with the 49ers and surrendering three draft choices to do it.
“I think it shows that they believe in me,” he said. “And I believe in what Ryan Pace and Coach Fox are doing in Chicago, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
There was some thought the Bears might wait a round or two before taking a quarterback after signing Mike Glennon last month to replace the departed Jay Cutler. That couldn’t have been more wrong.
Whether Trubisky is starting in Week 1 or in 2018, his development will go a long way toward defining Pace’s tenure. The Bears are counting on him, with his arm strength and quickness, to lock down a position that has historically troubled the franchise.
“Going to come in and learn as much as I can from Mike and the other veterans on the team. I mean I’m always going to compete and do my thing and push the guy in front of me and my teammates as well. When given my opportunity, I’m looking forward to take full advantage of it. It’s all about helping the Chicago Bears win and that’s what I’m looking forward to most.”
The Browns decided to grab Texas A&M defensive standout Myles Garrett rather than address their biggest need for a long-term quarterback. Pace decided he couldn’t pass up the chance.
The price for Trubisky was high, with San Francisco getting the Bears’ No. 3 pick, a third- and fourthround choice this year plus a third-rounder next year. It was a surprising move, particularly since San Francisco general manager John Lynch was ready to take Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas at No. 2 anyway.
“Kudos to the Bears,” Lynch said. “I give Ryan Pace and John Fox credit for making a courageous move and we’re thrilled with what we got out of it.
Pace said he couldn’t afford to wait even one pick. Teams looking for a quarterback were calling him about the third overall choice so he knew they were also looking to move into the No. 2 spot. Lynch confirmed the 49ers had other offers.
“I didn’t want to sit on our hands and have some team jump us or have it not work out,” Pace said. “When we were this close, within reach of a player that was all really valued, I didn’t want to sit on our hands and risk not getting that player.”
The 6-foot-2, 222-pound Trubisky said had little contact with the Bears leading up to the draft. The Bears did see him at the combine and at his pro day.
Pace, Coach John Fox and several assistants also had a private workout with him in North Carolina last month. They put Trubisky through individual drills and had him drop back from under center to pass to receivers, a different skill for a shotgun quarterback.
Trubisky made just 13 college starts, all in a breakout junior season last year. He set the single-season the school’s single-season record for yards passing (3,748), touchdowns (30) and total offense (4,056) in 2016.