The Chicago Bears may be able to win a game or two with Chase Daniel. However, if they want to make a run this season, they need a healthy Mitch Trubisky
It has been said too many times since the Chicago Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings and it needs to be put to rest. Too many fans, analysts and media alike are rushing to anoint Chase Daniel as the new starting quarterback, and a savior of the season.
Chase Daniel stepped in for an injured Mitch Trubisky on Sunday. He did not turn the ball over, the Bears won a game led entirely by their defense. This is not to diminish anything Daniel did. However, this is what a backup is asked to do. Step in during a game, do not turn the ball over and do not try to be a hero.
The Bears scored their only touchdown on a drive led by Mitch Trubisky and scored on a drive that featured -3 yards of offense as well. Like any long term backup, Daniel may be able to keep this offense intact just long enough to win another game or two. However, that is thanks to a great defense.
If the Bears want to step up from relying on their defense to having an offense that can compete for a Super Bowl, they need to get Mitch Trubisky healthy and hope that he comes back better than ever. Either way, he gives them a better shot than Chase Daniel.
5. Explosive plays
The biggest draw with Trubisky is the explosive plays. He is athletic, he has a big arm, and Matt Nagy tells him to push the ball down the field. At times, he misses, but he has his fair share of big-time shots down the field.
When Trubisky missed two games last season, the Bears explosive play rate dropped from 16% to 8%. The offense was never hitting at that 16% clip again, even after Trubisky was inserted into the lineup.
However, through three games they had a 6% explosive play rate. This is poor until you realize that Daniel and the Bears offense had two explosive plays on Sunday, which was a 3% rate. Daniel is much more physically limited than Trubisky. Can he protect the football? Yes. However, if the defense does need a big play on offense to change a game, the Bears are going to need Trubisky because Daniel has proven he does not bring that.