The New England Patriots could be in the market for a quarterback this offseason. Could their next signal-caller be set to play in a Wild Card playoff game on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints? At least one prominent New England media member sees the Chicago Bears’ Mitchell Trubisky as a “realistic option” for the Patriots this offseason.
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Trubisky to the Patriots in 2021?
On Friday, WEEI’s Lou Merloni participated in an exercise on the Ordway, Merloni & Fauria show where he was asked to name a realistic quarterback target. Merloni tabbed Trubisky, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2017, as the player atop his “realistic” wish list, which obviously eliminates pipe dreams like Deshaun Watson.
As you can see, the prediction didn’t go over well with everyone.
There is an assumption that Trubisky would return to the Bears this offseason if given the opportunity. However, that is yet to be determined on both ends. The 26-year-old could be playing for head coach Matt Nagy and even general manager Ryan Pace’s job in Chicago on Sunday. Even if he plays well, there is no guarantee the Bears will want him back, though that does seem like the best course of action for them.
If the Bears aren’t interested or Trubisky is looking to test the free agent waters, perhaps the Patriots and other potential suitors will get a crack at the fourth-year Pro Bowler.
Trubisky has become a hot name over the past few weeks after helping lead the Bears to the playoffs — despite a Week 17 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers in which he managed just 252 yards and an interception on 42 passing attempts. At one point, Trubisky was viewed as one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL, but he has been inconsistent in Chicago, even losing his job to Nick Foles earlier this season before regaining it for Chicago’s stretch run after a Foles’ injury.
Has Trubisky’s progress over the last month of the season been enough to raise his stock in the eyes of NFL general managers, specifically Bill Belichick? Time will ultimately tell.
Is Trubisky’s Regular Season Finish Fool’s Gold?
There are lots of things to consider when looking at Trubisky’s run at the end of 2020. The Bears shaped their playcalling around what their athletic quarterback does best: throwing on the move.
Chicago has used rolling pockets, a lot of misdirection and motion at the line of scrimmage to make things easier for him. None of those things have been staples of the Patriots’ system in recent years, and they looked reluctant to show such flexibility with Cam Newton in 2020. Aside from some RPOs and other option-style looks, the offense was largely similar to the one Josh McDaniels ran for Tom Brady.
That obviously won’t work for Trubisky. If McDaniels and staff thought it was tough trying to get an experienced veteran like Newton acclimated to the “Patriot Way” on the offensive side of the ball, wait until they have to break Trubisky of his habit for ill-advised throws in the red zone.
Trubisky has the ability to be a solid, but not spectacular quarterback in the NFL, but the current regime in New England is unlikely to be the best fit for his skill set.
That said, if Trubisky shines in Sunday’s Wild Card game and potentially beyond, expect to see and hear his name mentioned even more in the weeks and months to come.
Also Read:
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Former No. 2 Pick Mentioned as ‘Realistic’ 2021 QB Option for Patriots