Former Chicago Bears franchise quarter secures path for next franchise quarterback

The Chicago Bears found themselves in a position where they were rooting for their former franchise quarterback on Thursday night.

2017 Bears’ first-round selection, quarterback Mitch Trubisky, made the start for the Pittsburgh Steelers in place of an injured Kenny Pickett. Trubisky was making the start against the New England Patriots in a game that the Bears needed the Patriots to win.

Trubisky did not disappoint.

Former Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky was a key contributor in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the New England Patriots.

Trubisky completed 22 of 35 passes on Thursday night for a total of 190 passing yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Even more important, the Patriots defeated the Steelers 21-18.

With their victory over the Steelers on Thursday night, the Patriots now are two wins ahead of the Carolina Panthers. This means that if the Panthers lose to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, there will be a two-game buffer between them and the Patriots for having the worst record in the NFL this season.

A Panthers’ loss on Sunday would put the Bears directly in the driver’s seat for having the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

With the paradox that is the Bears’ final month of the regular season, think about the circumstances that were at play last night. The Bears’ former franchise quarterback helped the team secure the rights to the top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to allow them to select their next franchise quarterback.

The debate is over if the Bears do indeed wind up with the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears will take the best quarterback available and that will be USC’s Caleb Williams.