Chicago Bears: Top Performers of 2017

Rookie of the Year: Mitch Trubisky

Stats: 196 completions, 2193 yards, 7 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 59.4% completions. 41 rushes, 248 yards, 2 touchdowns. (12 starts)

Drafted second overall out of North Carolina, Mitch Trubisky was thrown into a tough situation with high expectations after just four games.

Started in favor of veteran QB Mike Glennon in Week 5, Trubisky performed well despite a serious lack of surrounding talent at wide receiver and injuries to the offensive line and tight end positions.

Trubisky won two of his first three games before the Bears lost their next five. Despite the losing, Trubisky was a serious upgrade from Glennon, throwing only two more interceptions despite playing in eight more games than Glennon.

Although Trubisky’s touchdown-to-interception ratio is less than impressive (seven touchdowns to seven interceptions, or 1:1), most of Trubisky’s mishaps have come in late-game desperation situations. Yes, Trubisky did have his fair share of “rookie mistakes”, but you can’t expect a rookie to be flawless in come-from-behind scenarios.

Perhaps it’s unfair to judge Trubisky’s rookie season by his stats. Given the quality of talent surrounding him, as well as the questionable play calling by coaches, Mitch Trubisky performed as well as anyone could in the given situation.

The impact made by Trubisky won’t and didn’t reflect in the Bears record. The excitement brought on by Trubisky’s presence uplifted the Bears and their fans in a big way. The sparks of greatness shown by Trubisky proved why the Bears have put so much trust in him.

The playmaking, hype, production and overall presence of Mitch Trubisky is what makes him the Chicago Bears Rookie of the Year.

Honorable Mentions: Tarik Cohen, Eddie Jackson