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Mitch Trubisky Trade is Not Awful

By Bill Zimmerman

Apr 28, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears trade for Mitch Trubisky has been highly criticized, but it shouldn’t be.

When it happened, I was as shocked as anybody.

“They gave up what?” I said aloud.

“To move up one spot?” I was puzzled.

When Roger Goodell called “Mitchell Trubisky” at the podium, I really didn’t know what to think. I jumped in with the overreactors and was confused and frustrated and couldn’t believe that Ryan Pace would do something so stupid. How could he mortgage our future, I thought? He gave up all this for Mitch Trubisky, the one year wonder? I continued to scratch my head. I ran to my computer ready to write a scathing article about how Ryan Pace is stupid and should probably be fired on the spot.

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But I decided I would sleep on it. I decided I would let my cooler head prevail and if Friday afternoon I felt like Pace was still a moron, I would begin my piece. But as I continued to think about this decision, I started to come around on Ryan Pace’s thinking. I know exactly what he was going for and his decision should be commended, not condemned.

Let me explain.

First, let’s look at it from Trubisky’s talent level. I am certainly one that questions it. I think that next season Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Josh Allen could all be better selections. But I have always believed in Ryan Pace as a draft evaluator and I think he’s done an excellent job. Sure not all the picks have panned out but several of them have. I don’t blame him for the Kevin White fiasco, that’s just bad luck. But if you are objective- Eddie Goldman can be an impact player. Leonard Floyd looks like a smart pick. Cody Whitehair is an excellent offensive lineman. Jordan Howard was a steal. Nick Kwiatkoski and Deiondre Hall (in my eyes) have shown some flashes. I wouldn’t even give up on the likes of Jeremy Langford or Adrian Amos that showed ability as rookies.

Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears center Cody Whitehair (65) reacts with fans after a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Chicago defeated Minnesota 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears center Cody Whitehair (65) reacts with fans after a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Chicago defeated Minnesota 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

If I like the results I’ve seen in the first two drafts, then why in the world would I blast this move? Pace has looked at Trubisky and sees a quarterback that can be under center for 10-15 years and turn around the franchise. He loves what he brings to the table and wanted him on the team no matter what. I do have my doubts that Trubisky is that level of talent, but Pace believes it and he is a far better talent evaluator than I am. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. It may not work out, and if it doesn’t Pace will lose his job and he’ll be lumped in with Phil Emery and the other failed GMs and the Bears will move on. But he has faith in Trubisky so I’m willing to see if he’s right before I’m willing to criticize him.

Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears /

Chicago Bears

The other issue with this selection was, of course, the trade with the San Francisco 49ers. To move up one selection, the Bears gave up two third round picks and a fourth round pick. That’s a pretty tall order when there is a chance that Trubisky still would have been sitting there at three.

Teams love to use the draft pick trade value chart to determine what a fair trade would be. The value to move up from three to two is worth a significant amount. Giving up the third and the fourth pick this year actually isn’t enough. The Bears had to throw in another pick from 2018 which means they overpaid for the move slightly. But again, when you want your guy, you need to go for it.

Sure, there was a chance that the 49ers stand pat, take Solomon Thomas and the Bears get Trubisky, but there was a definite chance that the 49ers were going to move that pick to a QB-hungry team that wanted Trubisky. It might have been Cleveland. It might have been Kansas City. The 49ers had legit offers they were considering. Sure, we’ll never know if they actually would have pulled the trigger, but Pace didn’t want to get caught with his pants down. We’ve seen that he’s not afraid to do that like he did in 2016 when he decided Leonard Floyd was his guy and he had to trade up slightly to get him.

Pace thinks he’s found the Bears’ quarterback of the future. He’s a better talent evaluator than any of the armchair GMs that are out there including me, anyone reading this article, or just about anyone on television. He’s done a good job drafting to this point, so if he thinks he’s found a talented quarterback, then, based on what we’ve seen the first two drafts, he deserves the benefit of the doubt.

This pick is a risk. It’s either going to go down as the greatest or worst draft choice in Chicago Bears history (I’m looking at you, Cade McNown). But if Trubisky is a star, we will all admit that Pace was right and wear our Trubisky jerseys with pride. He may not work out, but he should be given the chance. For now, Bears’ fans can only be patient, even if that’s a hard thing to be.

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