The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Trubisky has been a fast learner in Bears practices
‘I’ve put in more work on this playbook than I’ve put into anything in my life’
It has been speculated Mitchell Trubisky would be a work in progress as a rookie in the NFL, mostly because he made just 13 starts at North Carolina in 2016.
The 2017 season might play out that way, with Trubisky being a backup. But the Mentor graduate is making sure he will be ready if the franchise decides to turn over the Bears’ offense to their rookie quarterback.
After he was selected No. 2 overall, Trubisky had this to say to any naysayer: “Get ready to watch. I’m just scratching the surface.”
About six weeks later, Trubisky said he’s made plenty of progress adapting to the NFL.
On June 6, the Bears completed their eighth of 10 scheduled OTAs. Trubisky said he’s a QB on a mission, and that means learning Chicago’s playbook as quickly as possible.
“I’ve made a lot of progress,” Trubisky told reporters after the team’s June 6 OTA. “I’d say I’m getting better every day. I’m getting a little bit more comfortable every day. I’m studying a lot. I’ve put in more work on this playbook than I’ve put into anything in my life, and it’s coming along great.”
The QB position in the Windy City is crowded. Mike Glennon, who signed with the Bears in the offseason from Tampa Bay, is the starter, the team announced. Also in the mix is longtime veteran Mark Sanchez and former Browns QB Connor Shaw.
However, there’s no question Trubisky is the team’s franchise QB in waiting. On Day 1 of the draft, the Bears traded up from the No. 3 overall spot to No. 2 to secure the rights to Trubisky.
Now, it’s Trubisky’s job to prove he’s ready to become the face of the Bears.
According to reports, Sanchez has been sidelined the last week, and that’s allowed Trubisky to get snaps with the second-team from his usual third-team spot.
The support he’s received from Glennon & Co. has also been important.
“We have a great quarterback room, a great quarterback coach (in Dave Ragone),” Trubisky said. “We’re all in there together putting the hours in. They’re helping
me a lot, just getting me comfortable, giving me tips on how to be a savvy quarterback with the operation and how to command the other guys. They’re helping a lot.”
The Bears will conduct two more OTA sessions on June 7 and 8, then a mandatory minicamp next week. After that, the team departs Chicago until they return for the start of training camp on July 27 at Olivet Nazarene University. Trubisky can’t wait. “I’ve come to a place that’s crazy about football, crazy about the NFL and takes a lot of pride in the city,” he said. “That’s who I am as a person. I feel like I fit in great. I’m here to help the team win. It’s an exciting time. I’m very blessed to be in the situation I’m in. Now it’s my job to go to work and do whatever I can for the team.”