Good Mitch vs Bad Mitch for the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears starting quarterback had a game of games this past weekend. Mitch Trubisky made some great throws and started with some bad ones. Why do I call him baby Rex Grossman?
Rex Daniel (Sexy Rexy) Grossman III was drafted 22nd overall by the Chicago Bears in 2003. He was supposed to be the future franchise quarterback with an “off-year” in Florida in his junior year. (Sorry, Packer fans, does that remind you of somebody) Grossman sat three years before getting the start in 2006, which he led the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl.
All sounds good, but Grossman tossed 23 touchdowns to 20 ints (sounds a lot like Winston). Grossman’s games became known as a table of two players in one body. Which quarterback was the opposing defense going to play? Good Rex or Bad Rex? Inconsistent was an understatement.
While the Bears would still win games, at times, Grossman wasn’t the reason they won. Grossman used to own the record for having the most 100+ passer rating games in a season (seven). Grossman also used to lead the league with lower than 40 passer ratings in a season (five).
Grossmann did that in the same season. No wonder we Chicago Bears fans freak out about quarterbacks. Alright, enough about Rex, what does that have to do with Mitch Trubisky?
Mitch Trubisky finished Week 1 with the 2nd-highest rate of positively graded passes
— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) September 16, 2020
and the 3rd-highest rate of negatively graded passes
(A majority of every quarterback's passes receive a neutral grade) pic.twitter.com/LUqn2gbsnZ
The graphic above is one of many Mitch Trubisky has put his name on to start the season. Trubisky was one of the best and worst quarterbacks this past weekend in the same game. Many fans will say, well, he sucks but does he? The kid can clearly play.
Let’s not look at the win granted that is big. Let’s look at the throws. When Trubisky isn’t thinking he is a wizard. Many fans will say, well, why can’t he play like that all the time? My answer to them is who knows. But it sure makes watching the game entertaining.
Realistic expectations about Trubisky have been something that has haunted him from day one. Trubisky was the second overall pick and he should be good…Yeah, those comments. Not all quarterbacks pan out perfectly because they are the top drafted players.
Looking back over the last 10 years, 14 of the 34 quarterbacks drafted in the first round did not pan out as expected. That’s not including four rookies taken this year and not including Teddy Bridgewater, Carson Wentz, or Ryan Tannehill.
21 of 34 quarterbacks are question marks (excuse me I forgot Trubisky). 22 quarterbacks drafted in the first round are question marks. Three of them were league MVP. I really do not want to include rookies of the year because frankly, who cares, —35% of the quarterbacks taken in the first round pan out (maybe).
If we include Carson Wentz, 11% have made it to the Super Bowl as a starter (again including Wentz). Trubisky isn’t great all the time, but he’s not bad all the time. Stop Letting ESPN trick you into thinking otherwise.