NEWSLETTER
Mixed. Can I say that was a “mixed” debut for Mitch Trubisky?
The Bears unveiled their new starting quarterback tonight, and he came out of the gate firing dimes. His athleticism and strong, accurate arm were immediately on display, and that, in turn, opened up the running game.
For a little while, anyway. But the Bears were repeatedly stalled by a combination of self-inflicted wounds and extremely ticky-tack penalties at ill-opportune times. The defense played admirably despite so many injuries up the middle, but a few big plays burned them when the lack of defensive continuity showed up.
Still, the Bears were in position to drive for a win in the 4th quarter with the score tied when Trubisky used that athleticism to extend a play, and then showed a little too much confidence trying to guide the ball to a well-covered Zach Miller. It worked on his touchdown throw; it did not work on the interception that set up the game-winning field goal for the Vikings.
On the whole, there were more positives than negatives to take away for Trubisky, specifically, who probably would have looked even better if the Bears had the remotest semblance of an effective wide receiver corps. We’ll all have to keep that in mind this year.
More on Trubisky’s debut, and the fourth loss of the season for the Bears, soon.
