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

2. Mike Glennon, QB

Signed to be the Chicago Bears’ franchise quarterback for the immediate future, Mike Glennon has become somewhat overshadowed by hopeful franchise-changer Mitch Trubisky.

But make no mistake: the starting job remains Glennon’s to lose when training camp starts.

Why camp matters for him

Of course, it would’ve been fair to question how long the Bears wanted him to start for them even after they signed him. After all, $16 million of the $18.5 million guaranteed on his three-year, $45 million deal gets paid out this season. The Bears can talk all they want about how much they like Glennon and want to see what he is, but don’t be fooled. They meant for him to be a bridge quarterback.

That said, he does have enough experience and competence for the Bears to rely on him for a short space. And that’s all they really need him for.

While nothing he did in his 18 career starts will wow anyone, he wasn’t horrifically awful. In 2013, when he started all 13 games in which he played, he posted 19 touchdowns to just nine interceptions and posted a quarterback rating of 83.9. And he did it while getting sacked 40 times behind an atrocious line. Plus, his arm by all accounts is far better than that of Brian Hoyer or Matt Barkley at least.

All he has to do is show those traits in training camp, and he will start the season as the Bears’ quarterback.

But if he struggles badly or gets injured, the Bears will be forced into an awkward decision regarding Trubisky. Should they potentially start a lesser player (Mark Sanchez, Connor Shaw) ahead of him while he keeps learning, or give the kid his opportunity right away?

Let’s just say that life will be much easier in Chicago this year if Glennon plays his role well.