The first quarterback taken in the 2017 NFL Draft was the best performer at the position on Sunday thanks to a career game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky opened eyes in Week 14 and played so well, it earned him the best grade among NFL quarterbacks and a spot on Pro Football Focus’ Week 14 Team of the Week.
Trubisky completed 25 of 32 passes for 271 yards, threw a touchdown, played turnover-free ball, and posted a 112.4 passer rating. PFF had Trubisky with an adjusted completion percentage of 86.7 percent, which confirms he was on the money with his throws on Sunday (it’s amazing what can happen when Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains unleashes him).
Trubisky completed 7 of 11 attempts thrown 10+ yards in the air, posted a 113.9 rating when given a clean pocket, and his numbers while pressured (4/6, 56 yards) add up to a 96.5 rating. He even tacked on his first career rushing touchdown on a beautifully executed zone read near the goal line.
And to think, he did it all while spreading the ball around a group of pass catchers headlined by a rookie tight end (Adam Shaheen, 4 catches and 44 yards) and a free agent receiver on a one-year “prove it” deal (Kendall Wright, 10 catches and 107 yards).
Bears GM Ryan Pace probably envisioned a day like Sunday when scouting Trubisky leading up to draft day. And he would surely like a few more after trading multiple draft picks to move up one spot to choose the North Carolina product with the second overall pick in the draft.
Trubisky’s development has been far from linear, but the rookie has taken some significant steps in the right direction since the bye week. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling against a Detroit Lions team in which he performed admirably against and nearly conducted a game-tying drive had it not been for a poorly struck field goal attempt by Connor Barth.