NEWSLETTER
Chicago Bears head coach John Fox insists there is no quarterback controversy, but perhaps there should be one.
If all things were equal, the performances by Mike Glennon and Mitch Trubisky through two preseason games would have them jockeying for playing time as the No. 1 starter. Of course, not all things are equal. The Bears are committed to handing the regular season reins over to Glennon as the team’s starter, while Trubisky lags behind as a backup.
But should they be? Two games in, here is what Glennon’s numbers look like with the first-string offense:
The traditional numbers aren’t great for Glennon, and neither are the advanced ones. Over at Pro Football Focus, Sam Monson details Glennon’s second straight sub-par performance, and the numbers aren’t for the weak of stomach. After posting a 49.2 grade in Week 1, Glennon followed it up with a 40.4 against the Cardinals. Through two preseason games, Glennon has a 62.5 adjusted completion percentage, a 2.8 passer rating against pressure, and an average depth of throw of 6.7 yards.
Compare that to Trubisky, who owns an 86.7 adjusted completion percentage, 53.1 rating against pressure, and 8.1 yards per average depth of throw. Sure, Trubisky’s grade (60.5) against Arizona wasn’t much better than Glennon’s. You could even go as far as saying they were a disappointment after that dazzling debut. But there’s no denying Trubisky performing better than the top quarterback on the depth chart so far.
As a point of comparison, here are Trubisky’s traditional stats through two games:
By now, Trubisky should have at least forced the Bears to have a conversation about whether or not their rookie quarterback should get some burn with the first team. That’s all we’re really calling for, and there is no better time to give him that shot than the all-important third preseason game, because that’s when first-string players typically get an extended look.
If Trubisky was to struggle against the Tennessee Titans’ first-team defense, the Bears would be right in continuing with the development plan for their prized quarterback prospect. But if he doesn’t, Trubisky could make the case for being the best quarterback in camp.
And that could throw the entire plan for a loop.
