NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears had some good things going for them when free agency opened up back in March. They had a new head coach with an offensive mindset, a young quarterback with upside, and a bunch of salary cap space to play around with/lure free agents to Chicago.
But who knew YouTube would serve as a recruiting tool, too?
Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel did his share of background work in digging up what the Bears had to offer him. But one thing he didn’t have a complete grasp on was his new quarterback. Luckily, a look at what Trubisky could do in an offense is always just a few clicks away thanks to the power of the internet: “I looked up a few of his highlights on YouTube as well, and the guy can sling it,” Gabriel said, via ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson. “When we signed the other day, the first thing I asked him was, ‘How’s your deep ball?’ I’m excited to be with him and excited to get in and play with him.”
Gabriel played 52.5 percent of the offensive snaps when the Atlanta Falcons visited Soldier Field and escaped with a 23-17 win last season. However, he was unable to get a good look at Trubisky, who was then saddled as the team’s No. 2 quarterback behind Mike Glennon.
But Gabriel said he was able to talk to Trubisky after that game and has spoken to him since. The internet bringing people together is truly a beautiful thing.
Of course, Gabriel wasn’t the WR3 many thought Chicago would land this spring. If you recall, there was a ton of smoke surrounding Albert Wilson and the idea of the former Kansas City Chiefs receiver following Matt Nagy to Chicago. Instead, Wilson signed with the Miami Dolphins and the Bears moved on to Gabriel, who became familiar with Nagy’s offense in a different way.
Taylor Gabriel is friends with Charcandrick West, who talked up Matt Nagy's offense to him. Gabriel also says: "You go on Youtube and look at the Kansas City offense…"
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) March 15, 2018
And because YouTube is full of wonderful things, here are some Gabriel highlights:
