The 2017 Draft NFL has ended and now it’s time to look back
and reflect. The move that created the biggest headlines & shockwaves is
the move made by the Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace to trade up from the #3 slot
into the #2 slot to draft QB Mitch Trubisky out of The University of North
Carolina. In such move, the Bears dealt the No. 3 pick, their third-round pick
(No. 67), one of their fourth-round picks (No. 111) and a 2018 third-round pick
to the San Francisco 49ers to move up and take Trubisky, considered one of the
draft’s top quarterbacks.
To be completely honest, as a diehard Bears the move really frustrated
me because of the huge holes the Bears have in the secondary with the release
of CB Tracy Porter, CB Kyle Fuller coming off arthroscopic knee surgery and not
playing the entire 2016 season, the secondary could’ve used some suring up with
the #3 overall pick. Head Coach John Fox is a defensive minded coach and for
them not to address a need on that side of the ball strikes as peculiar. The
secondary is young and doesn’t have a lot of speed to cover ground on the
field. Their secondary last season was a revolving rotation and suring that up I
thought would’ve been a primary need. The speed and playmaking ability of
prospects of Malik Hooker & Marshon Lattimore out of Ohio State, or Jamal
Adams out of LSU would’ve been great fits to come right in & contribute to
a rebuilding defense.
It also really struck as surprising because of the free agent
contract the Bears gave to QB Mike Glennon. Glennon was given a 3yr/$45 million
deal on the first day of free agency this past March. The Bears also signed QB
Mark Sanchez in the off-season as well. With those two signings, it really
struck me that they moved up to take Trubisky. Trubisky only playing 13 college
games isn’t that big of an issue for me. Personally, I was never really wowed
by his game film or numbers but as we all know those factors can at times be
misleading so that goes up in the air.
It was upsetting as a fan because the Bears move up ONE slot
to take a player who could’ve still been available had the stayed at #3. They
gave the 49ers too many of good draft picks. Giving up two 3rd round
picks & a 4th round pick I think was a bit pricey. Most drafts
are made with the selections in those later rounds and a lot of hidden gems are
found within the 3rd & 4th rounds. Players like
Antonio Brown, Bears own Jordan Howard, Saints WR Michael Thomas, WR Terrell
Owens, Hall of Fame DE Jason Taylor were taken with 3rd round picks.
However, letting the last few days passed by the more I’m
starting to think it maybe could’ve been a risk the Bears needed to take as a
franchise. The Bears organization has a bad history of QB problems especially
during the Jay Cutler era. For as long as I can remember the Bears never really
had a GM linked to a QB pick. This is the first time the Bears have taken a QB
in the top 5 since the “Punky QB” Jim McMahon in 1982. Oddly enough he was the
last QB to lead the Bears to a championship. The Bears have been drafting
safely as long as I can remember and not really making a big splash so I think
a move like this could be necessary to progress the rebuilding of the Bears. GM
Ryan Pace’s future will weigh on whether Mitch Trubisky works out or not.
The biggest problem I have with this pick is what are they
going to surround Mitch Trubisky with to help him develop. Not only on the
field, but with a consistent coaching staff around him. The Bears late history
has been a revolving door of offensive coordinators since 2009 with names like
Mike Martz, Ron Turner, Aaron Kromer, Mike Tice, & Adam Gase. There’s going
to have to be that consistent voice to be there with Trubisky to help him continue
is development as a QB. They’re also taking leaps of faith in current Offensive
Coordinator Dowell Loggins & QBs Coach Dave Ragone.
At the end of the day, I’m hopeful & optimistic that
Mitch Trubisky will work out only time will tell. If it doesn’t work it will
set the organization back and will cost GM Ryan Pace his job. As a diehard fan,
I truly am rooting for Trubisky and hoping that he really works out.
