Getty Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky
Mitch Trubisky’s days as quarterback of the Chicago Bears appear to be over. In a roundup of free agency notes and rumors released Sunday morning, ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler revealed that Chicago has big plans to address the position this offseason — they just apparently don’t involve Trubisky.
With the Bears set to take a “big swing” at acquiring Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason according to Fowler, it’s becoming increasingly clear that their plans at quarterback no longer include the former second overall pick out of North Carolina.
“I think I can definitely see myself back here next year,” Trubisky told the media after Chicago’s NFC Wild Card loss in January. “Obviously a lot of that is out of my control but it feels like home and it feels like we have unfinished business. Right now I’m just bummed about this season being over and how the game went so a lot of emotions going on right now but I can see that. We’ll see. There are a lot of things that have to happen and a lot of decisions that have to be made and that’s out of my control but and I can see that.”
Now, it appears Trubisky will be looking for a new team and an opportunity to compete elsewhere.
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Graziano & Fowler: Trubisky Is a Goner
While noting Chicago still has its sights set on Wilson, Graziano and Fowler asserted Trubisky is headed out of town, suggesting a possible reunion with former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, now with the Denver Broncos.
Here’s what we know about the Bears’ tenuous quarterback situation: They are monitoring Russell Wilson developments but have combed the free-agent market for possibilities, too. The plan is to move on from Mitchell Trubisky — we’re told the door is open slightly but a source said the ship has sailed for both parties. The source sounded happy for Trubisky to get out of Chicago after all the heat he took. Now, Trubisky could apply his own heat — perhaps in Denver as competition for Drew Lock.
Gun-for-hire Ryan Fitzpatrick could make some sense in Chicago as a one-year spark if all other options fail. Andy Dalton, too.
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Bears May Be Forced to Pursue Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andy Dalton Instead
As Graziano and Fowler noted, the Bears may not be able to pry Wilson from the firm grip of Pete Carroll and the Seahawks. If they can’t convince Seattle to part ways with the eight-time Pro Bowler, a veteran like Ryan Fitzpatrick or Andy Dalton — perhaps even Marcus Mariota or Gardner Minshew — will likely be headed to fill Trubisky’s cleats.
Right now for the Bears, it’s do-or-die time, and they seem to be readying themselves to upgrade at the most important position in sports. It’s also apparent that they’ve gotten as much as they can out of Trubisky, who would likely appreciate a fresh start and a new coach to work with. But if Chicago can’t nab an established star such as Wilson or Deshaun Watson or a top-three quarterback in April’s NFL Draft, it will surely be more of the same for the Bears, who have finished 8-8 each of the last two seasons.
For what it’s worth, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk contradicted Graziano and Fowler’s report on Sunday, saying the Bears haven’t yet closed the door on Trubisky, but have more likely decided to move on privately without making the news official — yet.
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