Injury to Sanchez aiding Trubisky
What’s new with quarterback Mitch Trubisky? Here are four takeaways from his chat with the media after organized team activities Tuesday:
1 Mark Sanchez’s injury will help Trubisky’s adjustment. With Sanchez sidelined by an injury to his left knee, Trubisky is practicing with the second- team offense. Not only does that mean he gets more reps at practice, it also means he is on the field with better players. At times, that will include center Cody Whitehair and receivers and tight ends who are expected to be in the starting rotation.
‘‘ It’s getting the reps, getting comfortable,’’ Trubisky said. ‘‘ And whoever I’m with, whenever I’m in the huddle, it’s taking command and doing my job.’’
If all goes well, Trubisky might open training camp in late July as starter Mike Glennon’s backup.
Sanchez is expected to be ready by then, but Trubisky will spend five full days of OTAs and the full three- day minicamp next week as the No. 2 quarterback.
2 Trubisky isn’t worried about his contract. With OTAs nearly over, Trubisky’s contract status can be deemed curious. He’s the only Bears draft pick who is unsigned. Is that going to change soon?
‘‘ Oh, yeah, that’s not really for me to worry about,’’ Trubisky said. ‘‘ I’m going to be out here at practice every day. My agent and the Bears’ organization [ are] going to handle that. But I’mnot really sure how that stuff works. I’m here to play football; I’m not worried about contracts.’’
But Trubisky’s agents, Bruce and Ryan Tollner, are. The Tollners also represent Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, the previous two No. 2 overall selections.
Most delays for rookie contracts are rooted in a team’s desire to include offset language. It essentially saves a team money if the player is released and signs with another team. Wentz signed a four- year, $ 26.7 million contract in mid- May of last year. It included $ 26.2 million guaranteed and a $ 17.6 million signing bonus.
But Wentz’s deal also included offset language, which he reportedly agreed to before his selection.
Mariota didn’t sign until just more than a week before the Titans’ training camp opened in 2015 — after disputes over offset language finally were settled.
3 The Bears are changing Trubisky’s footwork. With Trubisky transitioning from a shotgun- centric offense to the Bears’ system, the team is emphasizing fundamentals. And old habits are tough to break.
‘‘ Sometimes I see myself on film going back to my old footwork at North Carolina, and that’s just muscle memory,’’ Trubisky said. ‘‘ I’m trying to get rid of those habits and just get into the new footwork.’’
4 Trubisky’s confidence is growing, but he understands he needs time.
Trubisky said he feels comfortable taking snaps under center, but mastering ‘‘ the pre- snap operation’’ requires more time.
‘‘[ It’s] just getting the line set, getting the protection right and just knowing everybody’s job,’’ he said. ‘‘ I can throw the football and do all the stuff that comes natural.’’