Chicago Bears: 6 players whose expectations are still uncertain
By Liam Fox
6. Nick Foles – Chicago Bears possible starting quarterback
Whether or not Nick Foles is even the starter at quarterback this season is a question mark itself. Foles is in the midst of the NFL’s top quarterback competition this summer with Mitchell Trubisky.
Foles brings with him to Chicago this year a resume that includes a Lombardi Trophy and the MVP award of Super Bowl LII. He also has four career playoff wins, including one against the Bears in the 2018 season.
No matter who wins out, however, the Bears need better quarterback play in 2020. Trubisky finished last in the NFL in yards per attempt and yards per completion among the 32 starting quarterbacks last season.
Foles had incredible moments in Philadelphia but spent only one season as their bonafide starter. He has not attempted more than 200 passes in a season since 2015. Foles does have familiarity with quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, who held the same position with the Eagles when Foles made his Super Bowl run.
DeFilippo was the offensive coordinator with the Jaguars last season, however, and the Foles-led offense showed very little. His lone season in Jacksonville in 2019 resulted in an 0-4 starting record and an opening day broken clavicle injury.
Head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace’s jobs may be in trouble if they put forth another disappointing season. It has yet to be seen whether they are hitching their wagon this year to the inconsistent Foles or the oft-overmatched Trubisky.
If the Chicago Bears choose Foles as their opening day starter against the Lions, it is hard to know what to expect from him. His decisiveness and deep ball passing have been jaw-dropping when Foles is on his game, but those moments have often been few and far between.