Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is motivated after the team traded for Nick Foles. The two will enter a quarterback competition when training camp opens.
Mitchell Trubisky understands why the Bears acquired Nick Foles, pictured, and the No. 2 pick in 2017 is motivated by the Bears bringing Foles in.
Mitchell Trubisky insists he is one motivated quarterback.
He comes into a make-or-break season locked in a competition with former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles for the Bears' job, knowing his future as a starter in Chicago and maybe anywhere else is on the line.
“For me it’s very motivating,” Trubisky said Friday. “You’re always going to have people writing you off. It’s got to light a fire under you, which it has for me, and I’m just trying to prove everybody wrong and prove my teammates right. There is just so much hard work that goes into it. And for people who write you off, I mean, that definitely motivates you in a way that you just want to go out there and play as best you possibly can. So I’m definitely fired up.”
The competition with Foles is kicking into gear with players back at teams' facilities and camps ramping up.
The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out offseason workouts and preseason games. Players won't be in pads until the week of Aug. 17 after the league and union opted to focus on strength and conditioning in the early going.
That means Trubisky and Foles won't have much time to make their case for the No. 1 spot, with the opener scheduled for Sept. 13 at Detroit. Every read in practice, every move in the facility, figures to come under more intense scrutiny from coach Matt Nagy and his staff as they try to decide who should be the starter.
“I think the big thing is just don’t focus on winning (the competition),” Foles said. “I’d say the big thing is focus on getting to be myself out there on the field and when a play is called, playing to the best of my ability.”
Both quarterbacks have something to prove after disappointing seasons.
Trubisky took a big step back in his third year since the Bears used the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft to take him ahead of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson — a sore spot in Chicago. And the heat on him only intensified last season, as the Bears missed the playoffs at 8-8 after winning the NFC North in 2018.
Trubisky's yards (3,138), completion rate (63.2%), touchdowns (17) and rating (83) all dropped from the previous year. And Chicago's offense ranked among the NFL's worst.
Trubisky played much of last year with his left arm in a sling after partially tearing the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. He needed surgery after the season to repair an injury he says has healed “110%.”
Though there were problems all around the offense, it was no surprise when the Bears decided to bring in a quarterback to push Trubisky.
They acquired Foles, the 2018 Super Bowl MVP with Philadelphia, from Jacksonville in March. About six weeks later, they declined their fifth-year option for 2021 on Trubisky.
“Hopefully this competition just makes our whole quarterback room and our whole offense even better, which I think it will,” Trubisky said.
Foles went from leaving Philadelphia to sign an $88 million contract with the Jaguars to playing in just four games in an injury-riddled season while losing his starting job to Gardner Minshew. Now, he's trying to beat out Trubisky.
“You know when he makes a great throw, I’m going to be right there to slap him a five and then they’ll probably have to like to sanitize our hands, but I’m going to do it,” Foles said. "That’s part of this thing. It is a competition but we’re all on the same team so we’re going to push each other every day but there’s got to be a healthy way to do it.”
Trubisky spent a big chunk of the offseason poring over video, dissecting what went wrong, and working on his strength and conditioning as well as mechanics. He also stayed in the area and was able to get in some on-field work with his teammates.
That's something Foles, who lives in California, was not able to do. But he knows the system and has strong relationships with Nagy from their time together in Philadelphia and Kansas City as well as several assistants.
Foles said he “loves” competitions as long as they don't become “toxic.” And he's embracing this one.
“Whoever is the best person at executing this offense, that can help the Chicago Bears win games and lead this team should be the starter," Foles said. "And the other guys will be there to support him.”
Each decade's best Bears players
1920s: Harold "Red" Grange
Name: Harold Edward "Red" Grange
Best decade: 1920s
Nickname: The Galloping Ghost, The Wheaton Iceman
Position: Halfback
Seasons played with Bears: 7
Career Highlights: The Bears' franchise was only in its fifth season when All-American halfback Red Grange was signed. Professional football wasn't so coveted or glorified to be a part of back then like it is today. Players weren't making millions and professional football was viewed as a weaker version of college football.
A star halfback for the University of Illinois known for his long runs, Grange played his last college game before signing his professional contract in 1925.
During that time, one reporter said that Grange was "three or four men, and a horse rolled into one", stating that Grange was a mix of star athletes like Babe Ruth, Jack Demsey, Paavo Numi and Man O'War.
Grange started to become an influence in pro football after the NFL passed a rule in 1926 called the "Red Grange Rule" to stop players from playing both college football and pro football in the same year. He is the last player to ever do so.
Grange spent seven of his eight seasons in the league playing for the Bears. Throughout his professional career, he had 21 rushing touchdowns and 10 receiving touchdowns and won two NFL championships consecutively with the Bears (1932, 1933).
1930s: Bronko Nagurski
Name: Bronko Nagurski
Best decade: 1930s
Nickname: N/A
Position: Fullback, Tackle
Seasons played with Bears: 9
Career Highlights: Known for his size and strength, Bronko Nagurski became a dual athlete, adding professional wrestler to his resume during his football career. He became a box-office attraction and was recognized as a multiple-time World Heavyweight Champion.
After a successful college career at the University of Minnesota, Nagurski turned pro and became a Chicago Bear in 1930. His dominant force on the offense helped the Bears win multiple division titles and three NFL championships (1932, 1933, 1943). Nagurski is believed to be the biggest running back of his time and was bigger than most linemen he faced. Additionally, Nagurski was a standout defensive lineman and tackle.
In 1938, Nagurski retired to focus on his wrestling career full-time. He came back to play for the Bears after World War II left the team short of players. Late in the season, Chicago was behind in a must-win game, and Nagurski's plays created a key drive to the tying touchdown and also set up the winning score. In the 1943 NFL title game against the Washington Redskins, Nagurski ended his career by scoring a touchdown that put the Bears ahead in the game. The Bears would go on to win the 41-21 for the championship.
1940s: Sid Luckman
Name: Sid Luckman
Best decade: 1940s
Nickname: N/A
Position: Quarterback
Seasons played with Bears: 12
Career Highlights: As quarterback, Sid Luckman led the Bears to not one, but four NFL championships (1940, 1941, 1943 and 1946) over 12 seasons. What helped Luckman carry the Bears' offense was his throwing accuracy downfield.
An outstanding quarterback, Luckman was awarded as the NFL's Most Valuable player in the 1943 season. He was also a three-time All-Star, a five-time First-Team All-Pro and a three-time NFL passing yards leader and touchdowns leader. These achievements earned Luckman a spot into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. His jersey number, 42, was retired by the Bears.
1950s: Bill George
Name: Bill George
Best decade: 1950s
Nickname: N/A
Position: Guard, Linebacker
Seasons played with Bears: 14
Career Highlights: Before middle linebacker greats Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher came along, there was Bill George.
George began his first season with the Bears in 1952 as a defensive guard and right linebacker. In 1954, George suffered an injury that would lead him to a new spot on the Bears' defense. He became the first full-time middle linebacker in NFL history and would start a legacy for the strongest position on the Bears' defense.
A smart, defensive player, George was often tricked by opposing running backs and fullbacks as he adjusted. Knowing that his injury limited his ability to chase down players like he used to when he was an outside linebacker, George knew he had to get better in the middle position in order to keep his place on the team.
George learned to read players better and became a crucial defensive player, which would select him to eight Pro Bowls. He leads the Bears' franchise with eight first-team All-Pro selections and was named to the 1950s All-Decade team by the National Football Hall of Fame.
1960s: Dick Butkus
Name: Dick Butkus
Best decade: 1960s
Nickname: The Robot of Destruction
Position: Middle linebacker
Seasons played with Bears: 9
Career Highlights: Following a prosperous college career at the University of Illinois, Dick Butkus was drafted in the first round by both the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL Draft. Butkus was thrilled to continue playing football in his hometown and even took less money to sign on with the Bears.
During his rookie season, Butkus made an immediate impact having to follow the Hall of Fame footsteps that previous middle linebacker Bill George left on the field. Butkus became a ball hawk on the defense, intercepting five passes and recovering six fumbles that year.
Butkus would soon make his name as one of the best players in the NFL. In 1969 and 1970, he was voted on by NFL players to be named for the Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
In his nine successful seasons with the Bears, Butkus was an 8x Pro-Bowler, a 6x First-team All-Pro and a 2x Second-team All-Pro.
In 1979, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His No. 51 jersey was also retired by the Bears.
1970s: Walter Payton
Name: Walter Payton
Best decade: 1970s
Nickname: Sweetness
Position: Running back
Seasons played with Bears: 13
Career Highlights: Walter Payton might be regarded as the greatest Chicago Bear of all time and one of the best to ever play, according to fans and media.
Payton's professional origin began in 1975 when the Bears selected him in the first round of the NFL Draft. He was the fourth overall pick.
The Bears hadn't had a winning season or a great running back since Gale Sayers retired in 1972. Payton was a gift the Bears needed from the football gods.
However, his rookie season showed otherwise. He finished with 679 yards and seven touchdowns, but led the league in yards per kickoff return.
Payton was ready to improve for the following season.
In 1976, Payton rushed for 1,390 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He played in the 1977 Pro Bowl and won the MVP award for the game.
Payton's early years of improving never stopped. In his 1977 season, Payton rushed for 1,852 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. He was the league's leading scorer that season.
On October 7, 1984 Payton broke the NFL's career rushing record.
In 1985 — the best year in the history of Chicago football — Payton rushed for more than 1,500 yards and helped the Bears get to Super Bowl XX.
Mike Ditka, who coached the winning Super Bowl team, said that one of the biggest regrets he made in his life was not letting Payton score a touchdown in the game, using quarterback Jim McMahon and defensive tackle William Perry to run the ball instead.
1980s: Mike Ditka
Name: Mike Ditka
Best decade: 1980s
Nickname: Iron Mike, The Hammer, Da Coach
Position: Tight end
Seasons played with Bears: 6
Career Highlights: Mike Ditka was drafted fifth overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1961 NFL Draft. Ditka paved a new way for tight ends in the league after a stellar rookie season, making 58 receptions and scoring 12 touchdowns. From then on, the tight end position would no longer be centered around blocking opponents. He would later be named as the NFL's Rookie of the Year.
Over his next five seasons, Ditka made the Pro-Bowl team each year. With his power and leadership on the field, Ditka helped the Bears to an NFL championship in 1963.
Ditka ranks first among tight ends and fourth in Bears history with 4,503 yards. He is ranked fifth in receptions (316) and touchdown catches (34).
Retiring in 1972, Ditka immediately began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys. He would spend nine successful seasons there before sending a letter to his former head coach and former Chicago Bears owner George Halas. Ditka stated that he wanted to become the head coach for the Bears.
Halas took Ditka up on his offer and hired him for the 1982 season. Ditka promised a Super Bowl trip within three seasons, and was close to succeeding after leading the Bears to the NFC Championship Game where they ended up losing to the San Francisco 49ers.
The following year, Ditka delivered a Super Bowl Championship after a 46-10 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. His leadership earned him the nickname "Da Coach".
1990s: Mike Singletary
Name: Mike Singletary
Best decade: 1990s
Nickname: Samurai Mike, Minister of Defense
Position: Linebacker
Seasons played with Bears: 12
Career Highlights: In 1981, rookie Mike Singletary would become the starting linebacker for the Bears in his seventh game. In his third game as a starter, Singletary had an outstanding game, recording 10 tackles and forcing a fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Singletary finished as the Bears' first or second leading tackler in each of his last 11 seasons. In his 12-year career, Singletary accumulated 1,488 career tackles, made 7 interceptions and had 12 fumble recoveries.
In 1990, Singletary had the game of his life, recording 10 solo tackles and 10 assists.
Singletary was a member of the Super Bowl XX dream team, made the Pro-Bowl team 10 times, was named as the NFL Defensive Player of the year twice, and won the NFL Man of the Year award in 1990, to name a few awards.
2000s: Brian Urlacher
Name: Brian Urlacher
Best decade: 2000s
Nickname: N/A
Position: Middle linebacker
Seasons played with Bears: 13
Career Highlights: An All-American safety for the University of New Mexico, Brian Urlacher was converted into a linebacker by the team's head coach Dennis Franchione. Urlacher's college career flourished after receiving more playing time and showing versatility on both the offense and defense.
Post-college, Urlacher impressed the scouts and analysts at the NFL Scouting Combine with his strength and speed. He was regarded as one of the top collegiate prospects in the 2000 NFL Draft. In need of a strong, defensive player, the Bears selected Urlacher in the first round. He was the draft's ninth overall pick.
Urlacher's versatility was recognized early on, appointing him as the team's starting strongside linebacker. He also became one of the Bears' best playmakers in the 2001 season. In a game that season against the Atlanta Falcons, Urlacher held quarterback Michael Vick to 18 rushing yards and recorded a forced fumble and sack. He also returned a fumble for a 90-yard touchdown.
In 2005, Urlacher won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He finished the season with a team high 121 tackles.
Urlacher's leadership and big plays helped the Bears win the NFC Championship against the New Orleans Saints during the 2006 season. The Bears would lose Super Bowl XLI to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 29-17. Urlacher finished the season with 93 tackles and three forced fumbles, getting elected to the 2006 All-Pro Team. During his 13 seasons with the Bears, Urlacher was selected eight times for the Pro Bowl team.
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