Chicago Bears: Trubisky’s improvement on deep throws key to NFL success
In addition to learning the pro game, Mitchell Trubisky must develop as a downfield passer for the Chicago Bears.
When the Chicago Bears drafted Mitchell Trubisky, they did so knowing he needed time to develop into the franchise quarterback they hope he will become. While boasting solid accuracy, athleticism, and intangibles, he still must adjust to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses, which can be said of any rookie.
More than just that, though, can Dave Ragone and the offensive coaching staff help Trubisky hone his execution? Specifically, can Trubisky become a more consistent deep ball thrower and truly threaten all levels of the field?
Finding the right touch
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To be clear, saying that Trubisky can improve his deep ball doesn’t mean he’s bad at throwing it. On the contrary, he compared fairly well to Patrick Mahomes and DeShone Kizer, two of the better deep ball throwers in this draft class. Also, don’t think he has a weak arm. A few seconds of watching his tape will dispel that thought right away.
But one thing that frequently showed up in Trubisky’s pre-draft scouting reports were the words “inconsistent deep ball touch”. Whereas some young quarterbacks try to rifle everything and overthrow balls from lack of touch, Trubisky at times displays too much touch, allowing the ball to hang in the air too long before reaching its target. While it may not have burned him every time at the college level, he won’t get away with that consistently in the NFL.
Exhibit A against Georgia, in his first start:
On this one, everything about this play looks textbook before the throw. His drop is good. The pocket holds. He makes the right read, and, if he hits his man in stride, it’s a sure touchdown. But instead, his throw stays in the air and comes up short, nearly getting picked off. Trubisky has barely any stride on this throw and essentially tries to finesse it down the field with only his arm. He also arguably waited a beat too long to cut it loose. Still, if he steps into this throw more, it’s six points.
Here are a few more examples, even on completions, of Trubisky needing to drive deep throws more. On the first, he again fails to step forward despite a lack of pressure, launching with just his arm once more. Therefore, the ball floats once more and wastes the receiver’s separation. That was the difference between first-and-goal from the five and a long touchdown.
While this next one is a touchdown, this is another one Trubisky doesn’t step into. Instead of driving this ball, he essentially throws it like he would a sideline fade, except in the middle of the field. And you definitely can’t do that at the next level. An NFL safety or corner very might bat this ball away or intercept it. Plus, you just opened up your receiver to unnecessary contact. Again, put this on a line, split the defensive backs and let your receiver walk in untouched.
Though Trubisky clearly has a good arm and is very accurate, he suffers from trying too hard to drop it in the bucket without good fundamentals. This worked with his big receivers in college, but against NFL competition, he needs to amp up the velocity on these balls. That means putting an emphasis on stepping into all deep throws rather than fading away or short-arming.
More of this, please…
Still, don’t get too down on Trubisky’s downfield passing. He can, and did, get it right on deep balls, and when he did, it’s hard to look any better.
Everything he did wrong on previous deep throws we just saw, he does right on this one. And this next throw? Please. You can’t knock him for putting too much touch on this one. This is perfect.
These are the kinds of throws that should get Bears fans excited about Trubisky’s NFL potential. We already know he dominates at short and intermediate levels, putting balls on receivers accurately and with zip. When he hits his back foot and spins the ball with his quick release, it’s poetry in motion. If he keeps his mechanics on deep throws consistent with the short/intermediate throws he excels at, he has all the ability to pick an NFL defense apart with his arm.
Next: Mitchell Trubisky makes good first impression at minicamp
Regardless of whatever else happens with the 2017 Chicago Bears, Trubisky’s development will be the team’s most important objective. Behind Mike Glennon, he can adjust to the mental aspects of the NFL game without pressure to produce immediately. Additionally, he can work on challenging defenses down the field more effectively with reps in training camp and regular season. Hopefully, when Trubisky inevitably takes over as the Bears’ starting quarterback, he’ll truly be a threat to beat defenses from anywhere on the field.