Pat Mahomes added to his historic start in Kansas City on Sunday when he threw for 326 yards and six touchdowns in a win over Pittsburgh.
While his stock is reaching astronomical levels so early in his career, it’s a different story in Chicago.
It isn’t fair to say Mitch Trubisky has been a disappointment so far in his career given the hand he was dealt last year with abysmal receivers and an incoherent coach, but it’s easy to admit he hasn’t been excellent.
None of those numbers are ideal for a former second overall pick but rarely do quarterbacks come into the league and perform as Mahomes has.
Here is a look at how some currently successful quarterbacks in the NFL fared in their first season in the pros, with exception to Matthew Stafford, which counts his first 13 games.
A couple things stand out immediately by looking at Trubisky’s numbers compared to Brees, Ryan, Smith, Wentz and Stafford.
They all threw significantly more touchdowns and interceptions than Trubisky while also amassing more yards.
The main reason for this is that this is only counting Trubisky’s first 14 games as a pro, while everyone else’s stats are from their first full season with the exception of Stafford. Considering that their completion percentage and passer ratings are similar, there’s no reason to think that Trubisky wouldn’t be close to the same numbers if he was given a full season.
Statistics aside, they all came into the league in similar situations, as they were young quarterbacks taken early in the draft to a struggling team lacking offensive explosiveness.
It should also be noted that Trubisky had less college experience than any player listed above. The questions asked about these players were the same asked now with Trubisky.
- Was it a mistake taking this guy so early?
- Should they have drafted another player, or better yet, another quarterback?
The answer to any question at this point is simply unanswerable. Until Trubisky is given a full season or two getting comfortable with the playbook and the offense, it’s irrational to think he’s a bust or that the Bears would be better off with someone else.
Until that time, enjoy watching the growth and development of Trubisky as he should improve with each week. Be patient. The Bears aren’t the Philadelphia 76ers, but trusting the process can go a long way here.
Patient ? Really ? Mark— I’m 73 years old . I’ve been a Bears season ticket holder since I was 11. In those 62 years the Bears have had what could be described as a franchise QB for about 5 years — when McMahan was healthy. The time for the fans to be patient has has long since passed. It’s time for the McCaskey’s to deliver or do the decent thing and sell the team to someone who can . I agree that it’s too early to definitively write off Trubisky . But the early returns are not good . Certainly , a few great QB’s have started the way Trubisky has , but a far greater number who start this way never reach the level of a franchise QB . Trybusky’s problem is not just that he can’t read defenses — which is arguably fixable . He is bad under the pressure of a pass rush and at times incredibly inaccurate. When he has a wide open receiver he chokes — Taylor Gabriel is only the most recent victim. At the end of every game he has played where the bears had a chance in the fourth quarter , he has played horribly , witness the Packers on opening day this year. It happened last year too. I guy who chokes will continue to choke . It’s not something you can learn your way out of . We may not be able to conclusively decide the issue yet, but right now Trubisky shows every sign of being a bust . That should get Ryan Pace fired. I don’t have another 62 years to wait .
That’s the dumbest shit I have read. Laffable shit.
alright 73 year old man really? fire ryan pace after he’s turned around the bears? you realize trubisky was not planned on starting last year behind the dinosaur of a coach john fox. ryan pace pulled off the biggest trade in the nfl’s history in getting khalil mack. you cant write him off for being patient with a second overall pick quarterback. remember jared goff his rookie year? looked like a bust and one year later in a new offense he looked like a franchise quarterback. hell its been through 2 weeks and your saying fire pace the one good general manager we have had in the last decade. sit back and enjoy seeing trubisky put up numbers against the cardinals bub.
From his less than college experience I always felt they should have drafted Watson he won championships in high school and college Against Alabama really a no brainer..CD
Mahomes watched and learned for a year in the same system. Give Tru at least that.
Last year was in no way shape or form something to judge him by, he had Fox and Loggains!?!?
Mark, thanks for your logical argument. We now live in a society where everyone has a voice and is an “expert.”
The average person has no idea how incredibly difficult it is to perform at even a competent level in professional sports or anything elite.
I can be patient because I have seen the development of all of the above mentioned qb’s and more TAKE TIME. How long was Stafford called a bust before the light came on 3-4 years in? Brees was traded away!
Just like our nemesis to North has said: R-E-L-A-X, fellow Bear’s fans!
Great reply Sam,
These other folks just do not get it. Potential is just that and 99.9% of the time, it takes time to develop, and display.
Just like our nemesis to North has said: R-E-L-A-X, fellow Bear’s fans!
My sentiment exactly…. give the kid a chance. He’s still shaking off the Fox/Loggains germs…. the game will slow down for him and he’ll be a very good; maybe great NFL quarterback…
That defense is stacked…. offense may not win the game for us this year, but frankly, they don’t need to… Just need to not lose it for us this year.
If Mitch gets out of this year with a stat line like this
Completion% 63.9
Yards – 2,843
Touchdowns 18
Int 12
Rating 86.5
I’ll be happy…. btw… that is Tom Brady’s first full year stat line.
Old men know everything. John Fox proved that. I will not hold judgement until after the 2019-20 season. Why jump to conclusions in year 1 of a new coach/system, and year 2 of the #2 overall pick? These old men will be the same people that don’t admit that they were wrong when it all comes together. Constant negativity from jaded narcissistic bag of bones.