NEWSLETTER
Mitch Trubisky’s delineation as a “work-in-progress” isn’t limited to inconsistent footwork. In Week 3, the QB’s decision-making popped up as an issue throughout the team’s win against the Cardinals. The good news is that there were moments when he looked like he was taking positive steps forward, but only after some real damage was already inflicted. So let’s dive into the best (and) worst of Trubisky, as our video analysis of his growth continues.
Sunday’s Best
Whaddya know, Matt Nagy was right. It does feel better when your quarterback connects on deep pass attempts:
What you wanna see from #10 and #12… this one set up the score.#CHIvsAZ | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/2PiawVWvNT
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 23, 2018
This throw has everything from a well-timed drop-back, proper footwork, arm strength, and precision accuracy to drop it between two defenders. If the throw is pulled to the left or left short, Trubisky would have walked to the sidelines with his second pick of the day and put the Bears in a dangerous predicament down 14-3 with no offensive momentum to show for it.
We’re still waiting for Trubisky to be accurate with the deep ball, but the example above is what it looks like when he does everything right. Throws like this suggest Trubisky’s problems are correctable with practice and repetitions. In other words, he’s got the skills he just has to hone them.
Success Off Script
That last throw was impressive, but Trubisky showing off the fastball to Trey Burton might have been my favorite throw of the day:
One of Trubisky’s finer throws yesterday despite tripping over Jordan Howard pic.twitter.com/URhh8IKE9j
— Bears Barroom (@BearsBarroom) September 24, 2018
This play had disaster written all over it from the get-go, but this is one of those throws Trubisky makes despite literally tripping over his own/Jordan Howard’s feet. Indeed, it’s one I circled on Sunday as a reminder that he can make plays when things go off-script. And nothing says “off-script” better than stumbling into your drop.
While the completion to Trey Burton allowed Trubisky to show off the laser, it also highlights Nagy’s ability to draw up something that plays to his players’ strengths. Trubisky goes high-to-low on his reads because he has a receiver up the right sideline streaking down-field. The extra attention helps clear Burton’s path as he runs across the formation into the open space after starting lined up next to the left tackle. The combination of great play design, sharp route-running, and a strong/accurate throw created this first down.
Dealing With Pressure
Facing a 3rd-and-6 with a loaded box and a blitz coming, Trubisky has to know where his hot reads are and show an ability to get to them quickly. This is where Trubisky’s field awareness must improve…
Trubisky didn't have much of a chancepic.twitter.com/EkAC49xJch
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 23, 2018
… and because it wasn’t up to par, the Bears took a 17-yard loss, pushing Cody Parkey into tough range for a field goal – one he would ultimately miss.
Where you see trial and error, I see the potential for growth. And we almost saw a little bit of it from Trubisky when he faced a similar situation later in the half. With pressure coming off the edge, Trubisky is ready for it this time. And he actually tries to do the right thing by targeting is safety valve in the flat. Unfortunately, Trubisky’s attempt fails and leads to an interception:
Terrible error de Mitchell Trubisky. 😏#VamosOsos pic.twitter.com/4qNdYzt05H
— Osos de Chicago (@Osos_de_Chicago) September 23, 2018
Sure, Trubisky has to make a better throw to the back in the flat. But credit Cardinals stud pass-rusher Chandler Jones for making one heckuva play to get his hands up to bat the ball in the air and allow for an interception possibility for his teammate. (No, I’m not still bitter about the Bears drafting Shea McClellin over Chandler Jones. Nope. Sure not. Why would you ask such a thing?)
More Awareness Problems
Bears had four receivers to the right, Cardinals only had three to cover them. Trubisky never even looked right, took the snap and immediately threw incomplete to his left. pic.twitter.com/j4NoFfhh6h
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) September 23, 2018
I liked the design and the potential options, but Nagy pointed out during his Monday press conference that Trubisky made the decision to throw to Robinson there – even though he had a 4-on-3 advantage on the other side of the formation. Maybe Trubisky thought he had a better shot at a touchdown with Robinson going 1-on-1 with Not Patrick Peterson. Still, his decision-making has to be better for this offense to work. Full stop.
But seriously, Trubisky played with fire too much in targeting Peterson on Sunday. The Bears are lucky that he didn’t make a crucial mistake here or at any other moment when testing the All-Pro corner:
Trubisky keeps targeting Patrick Peterson and it isn't going wellpic.twitter.com/q6G8DyWDzd
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 23, 2018
