One of the most intense quarterback competitions in the NFL this year will come from the Chicago Bears where incumbent Mitchell Trubisky will try to fight off Nick Foles to keep his job as starter.
The former Super Bowl MVP was picked up in an offseason trade by the Bears after being released by Jacksonville, but the third-year signal caller is confident he can keep his job.
Trubisky confident he can hold off Foles to keep job
Upon first hearing the news, Trubisky admitted he was surprised: "yeah, it was kind of interesting to me. But that's the business we are in. I think I was pissed off in a good way. I've been motivated ever since. I think it's going to be a good competition.
"Foles has had a crazy career as well, so it's been cool having him in our room talking ball. I know we're going to push each other. But I still feel like this is my team and I'm excited for the competition and just get back on the field with my guys and show what I can still do and how hard I've been working this offseason to help the Bears win games this year."
Option declined, Bears starter focuses on what went wrong, where improvement can be made
After ranking in the bottom six in total quarterback rating, touchdown passes, yards gained per pass attempt and traditional quarterback rating, Chicago declined to pick up Trubisky's fifth-year option. "I feel like the way I played last year didn't merit that, so I'm not all that surprised", he said.
"I think overall it [last year] had to do with health and lack of details on offense. So I think if we work on those two things -- obviously health comes down to a little bit of luck and having everybody's body right, ready to go for the season. And then, we just got to be more detailed. We got to be locked into our game plans week-in, week-out, everybody's got to be on the same page and when we get to Sunday it's gotta be about execution.
"I felt like we lacked details overall on offense, myself included; if we're on top of those this year and we just hold each other accountable to the standard we know we're capable of, then we'll have a lot more success and win more games. We definitely have talent. I think it just comes down to being disciplined, playing smart football and everybody doing their jobs to perfection.
"Those are two of the main focuses I came away with looking at last year."
Trubisky not concerned with future as new season approaches
With his future in Chicago being discussed heavily, Trubisky is just focused on the 2020 season. "I think all I can do is control what I can control this year and go out and try to have a hell of a year with my teammates. I love these guys to death and I'm excited about this year and what happens after that is out of my control.
"I just feel good about where I'm at right now, I feel good about this team and what we've been able to accomplish over these OTA's on Zoom meetings and stuff and throwing with guys in the area. I'm just excited. I don't know about the future, no one really does. I'm excited about the possibilities of what can happen and I feel good about it.
"I'm just confident about where my career is headed."