Statistical evidence Mitchell Trubisky is making significant improvements

Mitchell Trubisky is shocking the world after a 2-0 start to the season for the Chicago Bears.

This past year has been rough for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. After a Pro Bowl-caliber 2018, Trubisky struggled mightily and was a main catalyst for the Super Bowl-favorite Chicago Bears in missing the playoffs. Then, the team declined his fifth-year option and traded multiple mid-round picks for former Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles to push him in training camp. Despite the sideshow, head coach Matt Nagy named Trubisky as the team’s starter and was instantly met with criticism by NFL fans and talking heads.

Through the first two games of the season, the Bears are a perfect 2-0, and plenty of credit can be given by the better-than-expected play of Trubisky under center. Yes, those performances came against the lowly Detroit Lions and New York Giants, but stats prove that Trubisky has improved.

According to Pro Football Focus, Trubisky was the highest-rated player on Chicago’s offense during their 17-13 win against New York.

Trubisky’s play is good enough for Bears to be great

Trubisky shined in the first half of the contest, as he hit running back David Montgomery for a 28-yard catch-and-run touchdown while making the Giants defense look foolish on the opening drive. Then in the second quarter, Trubisky had the awareness to find Darnell Mooney in a mismatch against New York cornerback Corey Ballentine for a 15-yard touchdown. A wise move by Trubisky, who knew that Ballentine was the weakest player in New York’s secondary.

We’d be remiss to not mention that Trubisky did throw two interceptions in the second half of the contest. However, those two picks came on great defensive plays by Giants cornerback James Bradberry. In the third quarter, Trubisky threw a pass to receiver Allen Robinson on a slant route up the middle of the field, but Bradberry stepped in front of the pass and tipped the ball up in the air, allowing safety Julian Love to secure the interception. The second pick came in the fourth quarter, as Trubisky targeted Robinson once again on the outside. Robinson leaped over Bradberry and appeared to have the catch, but the corner ripped the ball out of his grasp for the interception.

On the day, Trubisky completed 18-of-28 of his pass attempts for 190 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Trubisky’s play wasn’t perfect and his throws aren’t beautiful to look at, but it was good enough. That’s exactly what the Bears need if they want to be in playoff contention throughout the season. Trubisky wasn’t good enough last year, he was mediocre. But now, with everything that happened this offseason, it appears Trubisky is playing to prove everyone wrong. So far, he has. He can continue to flash his improvements next week, as he faces off against the Atlanta Falcons and their porous defense.