Getty Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles of the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have named their starting quarterback. Again. In his weekly Monday meeting with the media, Bears head coach Matt Nagy revealed news that shocked virtually no one: Nick Foles will be taking over at starting quarterback for the team moving forward.
Bears’ QB Nick Foles will start Sunday vs. Indy, Matt Nagy announced.
After throwing an ugly interception during the Bears’ first offensive series in the fourth quarter — one in which he later admitted he did not see the defender, who was charging — Trubisky was benched in favor of Foles, who brought the team back for yet another miraculous fourth quarter win.
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Nagy Names Foles Starter Indefinitely Moving Forward
Foles entered the game on the Bears’ second possession in the third quarter after Trubisky’s interception led to a 26-10 Falcons lead. The veteran calmly led the team back, throwing three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter (he also threw two more that were overturned). Foles also hit plays Trubisky missed, connecting with receiver Anthony Miller on the same exact play Trubisky overthrew him on — and that came from Trubisky himself.
So Nick Foles’ game-winning TD pass to Anthony Miller was the same play Mitch Trubisky overthrew to Miller at the end of the first half.
“I gotta make that throw in the first half, but I’m glad the guys finished if off in the fourth quarter and we got a win,” Trubisky said.
Same down, same receiver, same play. Two different quarterbacks. Two very different results.
Mitchell Trubisky gets great protection, sets his feet, and misses Miller.
Foles gets hit as he throws, but finds Miller in stride for the TD.
The results speak for themselves.
It’s plays like that — true game changers — that resulted in Nagy making the decision to yank Trubisky in favor of the veteran signal caller, who he confirmed will be the team’s starter for more than just next week’s matchup against a tough Indianapolis Colts team.
Matt Nagy says and clarifies, Nick Foles will be the Bears starting quarterback this week and beyond. He’s the team’s starting quarterback.
Nick Foles Now Has Golden Opportunity With Bears
GettyAnthony Miller celebrates his second game-winning grab of the season with Nick Foles, who replaced Mitch Trubisky in the third quarter.
With the Bears ranked in the top 10 in total defense, Foles may be working with the best team he has ever had, including the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl-winning squad. With Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson leading the way, this unit has always been one capable offense away from being a true contender. If he continues to play well and stays healthy, Foles should be a literal game-changer for the Bears.
He could also see his pocket get fatter if he performs well this year. He has performance-based incentives built into his contract for quarterback rating, playing time and Pro Bowl/postseason appearances that could total up to $6 million.
Nick Foles now has a chance to earn some extra coin:
▪️ QB rating: 95.0+ ($500K), 98.5+ ($1M), 102+ ($2M)
▪️ Playing-time: 50%+ ($500K), 65%+ ($750K), 80%+ ($1.5M)
▪️ Pro Bowl: $750K
▪️ NFL/SB MVP: $750K
▪️ 50% playing time & playoffs: ($500K + $500K for a win)
$6M max total.
As for Trubisky, the former second overall pick took the news of his benching as well as anyone could, considering the circumstances.
“I just accepted the news,” Trubisky said after the game. “I had Nick’s back like he’s had mine. The situation sucked, but it was just the flow of the game, how it was happening, and coach made a decision that he felt was best for the team, and I’m really happy for this team. They battled back and it was awesome to get a ‘W’. But it sucks to get news like that, but that’s just how it goes.”
Still, considering everything, the Bears and their fans can’t be too unhappy about how it all turned out.
The #Bears QB situation played out in the best possible way. Mitch got a legit shot to prove he’s the guy, and it didn’t cost the Bears any wins in the process. Foles came in today and proved he IS the guy, and he now takes over a 3-0 team. It was fair. And the team didn’t suffer
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