NEWSLETTER
We learned a lot about the budding relationship between Mitch Trubisky and Allen Robinson when we dove into some Week 1 video review. So with that in mind, we figured there was more we could learn about the Bears QB after we dug into some of his Week 2 antics. So let’s look into some of the best (and worst) of Trubisky as our video analysis of his growth continues.
Monday’s Best
When someone asks what Trubisky does well, this is the highlight you can show. This play highlights Trubisky’s athleticism as he rolls left, his ability to square his body and correctly positions his feet, his arm strength as he throws across the grain, and his accuracy as he puts the pass where only Anthony Miller can grab it. All these things Trubisky does well adds up to six points for the Bears offense here:
We could get used to this from @AnthonyMiller_3.#SEAvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/r2sSOiQ5nE
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 18, 2018
There’s a ton to love about this from the play call, to Miller’s route running, to Trubisky’s accuracy and ultimately the execution of the play.
And to think, earlier in the contest Trubisky rolled left with the intent finding an open receiver in the end zone, but threw into coverage where two Seahawks defenders could have conceivably come away with an interception. And because Head Coach Matt Nagy has often talked about not making the same mistake twice, it was encouraging to see Trubisky do this early in the fourth quarter.
Every moment in a football game can provide a teachable moment, so it was good to see Trubisky not make the same mistake twice in the same game.
Good Footwork and a Decisive Run Leads to a First Down
Did you know that Trubisky and Deshaun Watson both ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine back in 2017? It’s OK if that wasn’t on your radar. But we should keep in mind that Trubisky has strong legs and is a good runner when given the opportunity. This is what it looks like when he gets in the open field:
“Dual threat QB”
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/RS8lVDAex6
— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) September 18, 2018
I’m not sure what is more impressive here. Obviously, the first-down run is great because the Bears don’t score a touchdown on their opening drive without this conversion. But for Trubisky to make a decisive call to run rather than dance around is something we shouldn’t overlook. And for him to keep his feet on that never-forgiving Soldier Field turf is a major accomplishment in its own right.
Bad Footwork Directly Leads to Trubisky’s First Interception of 2018
An underthrown ball from Mitch Trubisky. A great INT from Shaquill Griffin. Griffin is a stud. pic.twitter.com/9RcpdkROcs
— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) September 18, 2018
What that stands out here is obviously the under-thrown ball, but we need to look beyond that to get to the heart of what went wrong.
It all starts with Trubisky’s feet. Quarterback accuracy starts with a strong base and quality footwork. Trubisky’s footwork on this throw isn’t where it needs to be for him to make a competitive deep throw. He makes a throw without setting his feet and it cost his team a possession. Things could have been worse had the Bears’ defense not bailed out their quarterback by forcing a quick possession on the other side. If Trubisky sets his feet, drives, and goes through his motions, he would have had a better chance to complete the throw to Allen Robinson down-field and beyond the reach of Shaquill Griffin.
Footwork and accuracy are two things Trubisky needs to work on the most, and it’s not a coincidence that the two go hand-in-hand. Once Trubisky gets better here, his production will improve.
Trubisky wasn’t going to go without an interception forever, and it’s a throw like the one above that shows exactly why the Bears’ quarterback has the issues he does as far as accuracy is concerned. No wonder Trubisky was driving home the point of being a work in progress on Wednesday.
