The Chicago Bears have shied away from publicly addressing what their plans are regarding the fifth-year option on quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s rookie contract, which is due in just over a week.
However, clarity appears to be approaching on the horizon:
Adam Schefter just now on ESPN: "The Bears haven't said anything publicly about whether or not they will pick up the fifth-year option on Trubisky's contract. But when you talk to people around the league, they don't believe that the Bears will."
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 25, 2020
During ESPN’s telecast of Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft, Adam Schefter said that word among people around the league is that there is a belief the Bears will not pick up the fifth-year option on Trubisky’s deal. Schefter added the fifth year of Trubisky’s deal will be worth $24 million. That’s a spicy meatball, to be sure.
Picking up the option on Trubisky’s fifth-year contract has been a talking point for quite some time. Estimations in early November pegged the option at $24 million, and came at a time when Trubisky’s erratic play had us looking at alternative options via trade or the 2020 NFL Draft (which is currently ongoing). In December, the projected price tag for the option moved to $25.1 million. And at the time, there was a belief the Bears would execute the option, with one league executive telling The Athletic’s Mike Sando that he “guaranteed” Chicago would pick up the option. That sentiment was echoed by Hall of Fame executive Gil Brandt.
Trubisky, the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, was the first quarterback taken off the board. Unfortunately, draft classmates Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson have soundly lapped the Bears QB, which is perhaps something you’ve seen mentioned a time or two. And with Trubisky taking a step back during the 2019 season, Chicago’s front office went out and acquired Nick Foles to create an open competition at the position. And earlier this week, GM Ryan Pace said a decision on Trubisky’s fifth-year option would come after the Draft.
Moving forward, that competition could feature a once-prized prospect playing for his next contract (whether it’s in Chicago or elsewhere remains to be seen).