Chicago Bears Lose; Mitch Trubisky Has Best Game of His Career

In perhaps the wildest game of the 2018 NFL season, the Chicago Bears second-year quarterback takes another big step in his progression.

Many of you read the title of this article and were either ready to be argumentative or were genuinely intrigued as to how this proclamation could be valid.

Well, I’ll say it again, Mitch Trubisky had the best game of his career against the Miami Dolphins. Yes, the performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was historic, but to all the critics who stated that Trubisky’s dominance that game stemmed from an inept Tampa secondary, I’ll give you that.

However, against a more respectable Miami secondary, Trubisky was locked in. Against the Dolphins, Trubisky completed 70% of his throws for 316 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. While that total is three touchdowns and 38 yards short of his sum against the Buccaneers, the production was more meaningful.

Trubisky made some big throws down the stretch in the same pressure-filled environment that we’ve seen him shy away from in the past. His touchdown pass to rookie Anthony Miller came one play after a throw that was nearly grabbed by safety Reshad Jones. In this instance, Trubisky’s “next-play” mentality that has been touted by both coaches and teammates was in full display.

More from Bear Goggles On

• Franchise tag and transition tag windows open for Chicago Bears and NFL
• How the Chicago Bears can control the running back market in 2023
• The Chicago Bears can own the city of Chicago moving forward
• Chicago Bears NFL Combine Preview: Quarterback
• 7 best free agent tackle options for Chicago Bears

Also, keep in mind that this touchdown to Miller came after Trubisky threw an interception in the redzone the series before. The interception allowed Miami to tie the game and this act normally would deter a young signal-caller. Trubisky responded:

Prior to the late game score, Trubisky had to overcome a lackluster first half in which the team put up zero points. Trubisky and the rest of the offense came out of the half and scored in three plays. One play was a 28-yard run by Mitch. The ending was a nine-yard touchdown pass to Trey Burton.

The play in the middle truly demonstrates Trubisky’s growth as a quarterback as he threw a back shoulder fade route to Allen Robinson that drew a penalty from rookie defensive back, Minkah Fitzpatrick. Trubisky saw how physical Fitzpatrick was down the field and knew that if he threw to a particular spot, it would force the defensive back to obstruct his receiver. That’s a veteran throw.

Trubisky made throws all over the field throughout the game against the Miami defense. His presence in the pocket was reminiscent to the game against the Buccaneers. He made throws when the game mattered most and didn’t waver after making some risky throws and when his team let him down. It wasn’t as statistically significant as his previous game but this was the first time it appeared as though he, being a Chicago quarterback, could win a game when everything else fell apart around him.

Did the game against Miami show us Trubisky could make plays late in-game to give us a chance to win? If so, it was the best game of his career.