Chicago Bears: Latest preseason proposal gives Trubisky edge
The latest news gives the Chicago Bears’ incumbent a big advantage.
Recently, the NFL announced the Chicago Bears, along with the rest of the league, would only be playing two preseason games. The preseason schedule was cut short due to concerns over COVID-19 and the logistical challenges it present.
Based on the reduction, speculation ensued over which quarterback held an advantage, Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles.
As this global pandemic continues to wreak havoc on professional sports, leagues are trying their best to adapt to the ever-changing environment.
Case-in-point — today NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the NFL Players Association is opposed to playing preseason games and has proposed an alternative preseason schedule.
With the NFLPA still opposed to preseason games, one possible camp schedule the union has discussed:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 3, 2020
3 days: medical/equipment
21 days: strength & conditioning
10 days: unpadded practice
14 days: practice (10 max/8 padded)
Then it’d be straight into Week 1.
The proposed schedule lasts approximately seven weeks and includes padded and unpadded practices, but no exhibition games. This means the teams would roll out of practices and directly into Week 1 with no dress rehearsals.
If that proposal prevails, and there are no preseason games, would it give one Bears’ quarterback the edge over the other in this competition?
Probably, and although it wouldn’t be a huge advantage, it would tend to favor Trubiskyy. Foles has little to no experience with any of the wide receivers on the Bears’ roster. With only 24 days worth of practice time, 10 of which wouldn’t even be in pads, it would be tougher to build a strong rapport with the core.
Moreover, it would be a little more difficult for Foles to show off what he does better than Trubisky, which is diagnosing defenses and recognizing coverages.
Chicago Bears fans know all too well from last year how well Trubisky performed in practice. We heard countless times how he looked great all week in practice, only to fizzle out on Sunday. Trubisky seems to be comfortable in the practice environment and where he shines. Having it serve as the only environment in which head coach Matt Nagy will be able to evalaute his two quarterbacks tips the scales a little in Trubisky’s favor.
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Foles, it appears, will have his work cut out for him, and a lot to overcome when training camp begins. Trubisky has the support of his teammates, with whom he’s built strong relationships, and the general manager, who clearly wants (and frankly needs) him to succeed. And this latest news is just one more hurdle.