LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Mitchell Trubisky’s return to Halas Hall was a quiet one. Now the Buffalo Bills’ backup quarterback, the former Chicago Bear entered the team’s joint practices last week through the familiar Walter Payton Center, stirring memories of his time as the franchise’s centerpiece.
During the sessions, Trubisky split second-team repetitions with fellow backup Mike White, connecting on touchdown passes while greeting former teammates and staff. The No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft, now in his ninth NFL season, is competing for the spot behind reigning MVP Josh Allen. While posters around the facility feature the Bears’ new hopeful, Caleb Williams, Trubisky reflected on facing the same pressures in 2018 and admitted he wishes that era had lasted longer.
“It’s a privilege and I miss that, and it’s a lot of fun to be the franchise guy, especially in a city like this,” Trubisky said. “Returning to the place I was drafted, still playing in the league, is exciting and scary at the same time.”
Despite his tenure in Chicago not meeting expectations, Trubisky’s return for practices and a preseason game brings back positive memories and serves as a reminder of his ultimate career goal.
“The long-term goal is definitely to be a starter and a franchise guy somewhere again,” Trubisky told ESPN. “I think if you have that mindset and strive for that, but also take it one day at a time, everything else will kind of take care of itself.”
His time in Chicago included a successful 2018 season where the Bears finished 12-4 and won the NFC North, with Trubisky throwing for 24 touchdowns. However, the offense struggled over the next two seasons, and his QBR dropped from 71.0 to an average of 45.8. Highlighting the organization’s significant turnover, Trubisky noted that only three players remain from his time on the roster.
After the Bears declined his fifth-year option, Trubisky spent 2021 as Allen’s backup in Buffalo before a two-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He began the 2022 season as a starter but was eventually replaced by Kenny Pickett, leading to what he termed a “good mutual breakup.” He re-signed with the Bills on a two-year deal this past offseason.
Trubisky and White are now in a tight competition for the backup role, as the team typically keeps only one on the 53-man roster. General manager Brandon Beane has expressed strong support for Trubisky, citing his familiarity with the system from his previous tenure.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence in Mitch,” Beane said. “If Josh went down now, we’d be very confident in Mitch.”
In the first preseason game against the New York Giants, Trubisky started and finished an efficient 9-of-13 for 138 yards, including a touchdown pass to Dawson Knox. He says his focus remains on improving his accuracy and ball placement with every opportunity. His consistency has not gone unnoticed.
“Mitch is, every day he’s the same exact guy,” Allen said. “He knows who he is. He works extremely hard… I love him and I love all the quarterbacks in our room.”
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady praised Trubisky’s command and experience. “He knows a lot of the ‘why’ for some of the stuff that was consistent from before,” Brady said. “He’s played a lot of meaningful football. I love Mitch. I love his approach.”
For Trubisky, securing the backup job is the immediate focus on the path back to a starting role. While his return to Chicago was filled with nostalgia, his priority remains on the field.
“It’s fun to go get some food, hang out with the guys, take care of business, see some old friends, and just interact with the fans,” Trubisky said. “And I think the dream is one day to just go back and take my son to a game there and be like, ‘Hey, this is the first place that your dad played.’ Having memories like that would be special.”
Source link
