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Chicago Bears: Five players who need to impress at training camp

By Khari Thompson

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 22: Charles Leno #72 of the Chicago Bears particiaptes in warm-ups before a game against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field on November 22, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Broncos defeated the Bears 17-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 22: Charles Leno #72 of the Chicago Bears particiaptes in warm-ups before a game against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field on November 22, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Broncos defeated the Bears 17-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Mitch Trubisky Chicago Bears
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Mitchell Trubisky of North Carolina poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the Chicago Bears (from 49ers) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

3. Mitch Trubisky, QB

Yes, Mitch Trubisky might not even play a down of football this year (though I’d bet that he will). However, he remains, by far, the most important player on the Chicago Bears roster. Whether he plays this season or not, he needs to demonstrate progress in camp.

To the outside observer, Trubisky looks unflappable and dedicated to bettering his craft. And that may be exactly what he truly is. But potentially carrying the future of a franchise on your back as a second-overall pick still brings quite a bit of pressure. There’s no more flying under the radar now. Eyes and ears around the league will be straining toward Chicago to learn about how he’s progressing.

And he’ll need to show them all why Ryan Pace invested in him.

Why camp matters for him

Everyone knows about the accuracy, the work ethic, the poise and focus of Trubisky. Plus, he’s shown that he can deal with adversity and stay prepared to seize his moment. Those qualities endeared him to Pace and the Bears, and they very well could make him a star.

But as we all know, raw talent alone won’t get him anywhere in the NFL.

Watching him against live, padded NFL defenses—both the Bears’ and their preseason opponents—will tell us a lot. Does he have command of the playbook and of the huddle? How quickly is he processing defensive schemes? Is the ball coming out accurately and on time? Can he handle pressure and adversity against bigger, faster competition?

Does a good preseason mean he should get handed the starting job over Glennon? Of course not. There’s far more to evaluating that decision than a few nice games against second and third-stringers. Besides, whatever noise or outside pressure arises from Trubisky’s play, the Bears have the luxury of being as patient as they want with him.

However, if he makes the most of his opportunities, it could go a long way to alleviating pressure on himself (and on Pace). And that could start what will hopefully be a long, fruitful Bears career off on the right foot.

For now, though, one step at a time.

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