Mitchell Trubisky has largely been a disappointment since the Bears traded up to get him in the 2017 NFL Draft. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky says he didn't deserve fifth-year option

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/12/20

In May, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace said that the franchise still believed in quarterback Mitchell Trubisky even after the club declined the fifth-year option tied to the signal-caller, whom the Bears traded up to select with the No. 2 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Trubisky understands why actions didn't precede Pace's words.

Per Bears play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak, Trubisky addressed the issue while speaking with reporters on Friday and directly said he didn't deserve a financial vote of confidence from the Bears:

Trubisky says he wasn't surprised his fifth-year option was not picked up. "I felt like the way I played didn't merit that." He is attacking the season doing everything he can to get the team back to the playoffs. He is "very motivated" and "eager to work". @WBBMNewsradio
— Jeff Joniak (@JeffJoniak) June 12, 2020

The 25-year-old added that he was "pi—d off — in a good way" that the Bears orchestrated a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for QB and Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles this offseason.

Since taking over for Mike Glennon his rookie season, Trubisky's play has been a roller-coaster ride. He's flashed promise that he could become what the Bears hoped he'd be mixed with regrettable errors and lapses of on-field judgment and poise.

Trubisky had 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 games last year.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs traded with the Buffalo Bills to draft Patrick Mahomes 10th overall in 2017. Since then, Mahomes has won a regular-season MVP, guided the Chiefs to a Super Bowl championship and earned Super Bowl MVP honors.

Before Trubisky can begin thinking about a long-term NFL future either in Chicago or elsewhere, he must first relegate Foles to backup duties for 2020. The Bears could extend Trubisky beyond the upcoming season or keep him for another year via a transition or franchise tag if he impresses this fall.

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