Mitch Trubisky to be Bears’ starting quarterback in Week 1

A winner has been named in one of the more notable competitions this offseason.

Mitch Trubisky will retain his job as the Bears’ starting quarterback to start the 2020 season, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports, per sources. The Bears will face the Detroit Lions on the road in Week 1.

Nick Foles, who the Bears traded for in March, will serve as the Bears’ backup QB to start the year.

According to Pelissero, Bears coach Matt Nagy informed Trubisky late Friday afternoon, and given the circumstances of a young QB nearly losing his job after three seasons, the former No. 2-overall pick approached the competition “the right way.” With no preseason games being played, the competition was played out on the practice field.

Trubisky, 26, is coming off a disappointing season that led to Chicago giving up a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars for Foles. The Bears offense was predictable and imprecise with Trubisky under center in 2019, ranking in the bottom five in total yards and a measly 17.5 points per game. Trubisky threw for 3,138 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as the Bears finished 2019 with an 8-7 record and out of the playoffs.

All this came after the Bears won the NFC North behind a stellar defense and an offense that consistently took advantage of good field position and a solid running attack. For all intents and purposes, Trubisky proved himself as a solid game manager with upside after Year 2, but his 2019 season was enough of a regression for the Bears to make a move.

Foles, 31, may find comfort as the Bears’ backup, a role he’s championed over the years.

After all, it was Foles who helped end the Bears’ short-lived playoff run in 2018, when the Eagles stepped into Soldier Field and put a quick end to Trubisky’s best season in the Divisional Round. Foles wasn’t able to rescue the Eagles into another Super Bowl run,that year but his play in Philadelphia led to a big contract offer from the Jaguars. An injury-laden 2019 had Foles out half the year and eventually his job was taken by a sixth-round rookie, however, if there’s anyone who stays ready to play when called upon, it’s the MVP award winner from Super Bowl LII.