Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace came out of the team’s disappointing 2019 season vowing that Mitch Trubisky would be the team’s starting quarterback in 2020. Now just a few weeks after acquiring Nick Foles, Pace announced the starting gig will be up for grabs in 2020.
The Bears were always expected to acquire a veteran quarterback this offseason, either in free agency or via trade. After trade negotiations with the Carolina Panthers for Cam Newton broke down and following their failed pursuit of Teddy Bridgewater, Chicago traded a fourth-round pick for Foles.
Trubisky, the No. 2 overall pick in 2017, regressed following a breakout 2018 season. The 25-year-old completed just 63.2% of his passes with 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and an 83 quarterback rating.
The young quarterback struggled even more in difficult circumstances. He completed 56.5% of his passes in one-score games during the fourth quarter with a 65.4 quarterback rating. Trubisky also struggled in the colder temperatures, finishing December with a 79.6 quarterback rating.
Foles didn’t live up to the four-year, $68 million contract he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he remains a viable quarterback with a Super Bowl ring and Super Bowl MVP. Given his familiarity with head coach Matt Nagy and his more consistent level of play, Foles could be the favorite to start for the Bears when the 2020 season begins.