Chicago Bears lose to Denver Broncos: Offensive grades

Quarterbacks: B-

Coming into this game, everyone—even people around the league—had their eyes on the Chicago Bears quarterback room. How would the mysterious Mike Glennon perform in his first live action as a starter in two years? What was Mitch Trubisky going to do in his NFL debut? And did Mark Sanchez’s status as second-string quarterback mean anything?

The answers, for the most part, were absolutely riveting.

After all the proclamations about his professionalism and (relative) experience, Glennon came out of the gate misfiring on all cylinders. His second throw of the game was unceremoniously intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Chris Harris. All in all, he only managed two completions to Bears players on the game, finishing 2/8 for 20 yards.

But the lack of direction with which the offense operated under Glennon stood out even more painfully. In fact, a 12-play drive that ended in a punt was the highlight of the first offense’s tenure on the field. Before that, it went pick-six, punt and fumbled snap. And though Sanchez did manage to complete a pass, nothing about his performance caught anyone’s attention.

On the contrary, Trubisky’s play lit up the entire stadium.

He immediately went 4-4 with a touchdown throw to Victor Cruz on his very first drive at the end of the first half. He would go on to hit his first ten throws before finishing 18/25 for 166 yards.

But for the rookie, it wasn’t just about the numbers. It was the execution. Trubisky hit quick timing throws, throws that require downfield anticipation, throws on the run and throws under pressure. And he used his legs to perfection, whether to buy time down the field or take off on his own. For a guy many doubted was ready to play in the NFL yet, it was a masterful performance. And yes, we know it was against third-stringers. He still handled himself amazingly well.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/895880960708714496

And his dominance and precocious play is the only thing holding up the Chicago Bears quarterback room in this contest. With Glennon and Sanchez struggling, the rumbles about Trubisky possibly moving up the depth chart will only swell.