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Opinion

Could the Chicago Bears change how quarterbacks are played?

Roar Rookie
29th September, 2020
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(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Roar Rookie
29th September, 2020
4

It’s been a while since the Chicago Bears had any playoff hopes early in a season, let alone started the season 3-0.

Fun fact though, no other NFL team has mounted two comebacks of 16 points in the fourth quarter in any season.

These wins were partially due to heriocs by the quarterback, and there have been two in three games, but mainly it has to do with the defence. If the defence didn’t step up, the lead wouldn’t have been cut and all those touchdowns would have been labeled garbage time.

Still, the Bears could do something not seen in the NFL in a long time, if ever – there is a game plan that would shake the league’s very foundations.

Mitch Trubisky’s first-half stats don’t tell the whole story of the perplexing former first round pick but they do say something for my gameplan. The first half this season, Trubisky has thrown for 400 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Breaking that down further, the second quarter is his best, completing 60 per cent of his throws and garnering a rating of 104.1.

In fact, all of his interceptions coming in the second half. Add that to the fact that his third quarter rating is a whopping 34.9 and you get the feeling that once he hits his groove and takes a break, he’s a different QB altogether.

Then throw in the fact that his best performances come when the score is up by nine or more and it shows when he can relax and play ‘schoolyard’ ball he is at his best.

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Nick Foles, on the other hand, is different in all aspects.

In 2019, almost all of his interceptions were thrown in the first half, while leading. His first half production is decent, his second half completion rate is over 70 per cent, with a fourth-quarter rating of 102.8.

As a matter of fact, his completion when down by more than 17 points is nearly 70 per cent and his fist down production is great. Foles also has a standing rate of 113.2 when behind by 9-16 points.

Hopefully you see where I’m heading, but let’s continue.

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Foles isn’t much of a runner but his pocket presence is well noted. Trubisky is a runner and does his best work on the move.

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Last season, Foles added just 13 yards on the ground while Trubisky has added over 80 in three games. Most of Trubisky’s ground yards come in the first half, with his highest average yardage per run occurring then as well.

Now Foles and Trubisky occasionally get involved as receivers (remember the Philly Special) but Trubisky is more of a receiver due to his ability to run downfield.

Running backs often work out of a committee, sometimes running the hot hand or dedicating people to situational places. Why not do that with quarterback?

Why not take everything we have learnt and use it to the Bears’ advantage.

Start Trubisky and let him do what he does in the first half. Let him roll out and have fun playing ball. Let him run and create a situation that the defence has to adjust for.

Then, no matter the score, let Foles come in and use his accuracy and vision to close out the game. This would keep the defence off balance and create opportunities to let the offence capitalise.

A committee quarterback situation would wreak havoc on any defence – I mean, how do you prepare in a week for two QBs with completely different styles of play?

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It’s the Bears’ best chance at a ring in 2020.

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