Aaron Rodgers believes Mitch Trubisky can get better by following in his footsteps.
The two-time NFL MVP knows the value of learning as a backup quarterback and believes the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft will be better off learning from the sideline rather than playing on the field.
Imagine that. A Green Bay Packers living legend looking out for a Chicago Bears rookie. Whodathunkit?
For the second consecutive week, the Bears will face a Canton-bound future Hall of Fame quarterback – which has allowed the local media to pick the brain of a signal caller who rose through the ranks to become the franchise quarterback of an iconic NFL franchise. And once again, these quarterbacks pass along quality perspective, with Rodgers telling the Chicago media Trubisky can grow without taking a snap, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune.
“You can really gain in confidence every single day of practice,” Rodgers said. “You can come along at your own speed. You’re obviously not dealing with the pressure every week of having to perform, which is a real thing. You come along and learn the league, learn how to be a professional and learn how to take care of your body.”
Rodgers also explained the value of learning in a reserve role with things like working on footwork, fundamentals, and timing, as well as being able to take risks with throws in certain windows while playing the role of scout team quarterback as things that can be worked on without having to step foot on the gridiron on game day.
Of course, things are “a bit” different for Trubisky than they were for Rodgers, who was practicing against playoff-bound defenses and sitting behind a Hall of Fame quarterback in Brett Favre – instead of waiting in the wings behind Mike Glennon – but the process is the same.
The Bears remain publicly committed to Glennon, but Trubisky’s time will come. But for now, it’s interesting to soak in the kind of big picture perspective a player of Rodgers’ stature provides and dream on a day where Trubisky can one day reach those heights.