According to ESPN.com's Jeff Dickerson, head coach Matt Nagy denied a rift exists with
Mitchell Trubisky after the 25-year-old quarterback questioned elements of the offensive game plan in Sunday's 21-13 loss to Green Bay.
Speaking to reporters after the Packers game, Trubisky expressed regret over the offense's inability to more frequently move the pocket in order to change the quarterback's launch point to better neutralize Green Bay's pass rush and aid Chicago's offensive line.
Trubisky completed just 29 of 53 pass attempts for 334 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and was sacked three times.
As a team, the Bears rushed for only 96 yards on 27 attempts (3.6 yards per carry).
"I thought we could have taken more pressure off [the offensive line] moving the pocket a little more and me getting out [of the pocket]," Trubisky said Sunday. "[The Packers' defensive front has] done a great job of [pressuring the quarterback] all year long, and that's what they hang their hat on. They did that today. We just have to continue to find ways to take pressure off our offensive line. With a good pass rush like that, continue to mix it up, whether it's with screens, running it, draws -- all that kind of stuff helps. But, yeah, credit to them. They're a good defense."
Trubisky was asked to clarify whether he was referring to the actual play designs as a method to better help the offensive line.
"Could've done a lot of stuff, yeah," Trubisky said.
Nagy, who calls the plays, chalked up Trubisky's comments to frustration stemming from a particularly galling defeat. By virtue of losing to Green Bay, coupled with Minnesota's victory over the Chargers, the Bears have officially been eliminated from the playoffs. The Bears have not reached the postseason in consecutive years since 2005-06.
"You guys are always catching us right after the game," Nagy said Monday. "And so there's a lot of emotions that go through. Here we are losing a game like that and knowing we could've played better. So I don't know exactly what the question was that was asked, but I'm saying if you sensed a frustration, I think I know Mitch better than anybody in this building except maybe [quarterbacks coach] Dave Ragone.
"So I know the effect or what he means by any of that. I think probably, if I'm going back and watching that, it's probably very general and big picture, but it's also right after the game so I take nothing by that and we have a great relationship."
Meanwhile, the Bears host the Kansas City Chiefs and reigning league MVP
Patrick Mahomes on Sunday night. In case you missed it, Mahomes (and Houston's
Deshaun Watson) were selected to their second Pro Bowls on Tuesday.
Trubisky, drafted ahead of both, was not.
The Bears quarterback knows, no matter what he does, he forever will hear comparisons to Mahomes and Watson.
“The comparisons are out there, and they are never going to stop,” Trubisky said. “It’s kind of me, Pat and Deshaun are kind of all grouped together because we are in the same draft class, drafted in the first round and all that. But there are no do-overs. We are where we are.”
The Bears traded up to No. 2 overall to select Trubisky. Kansas City picked Mahomes 10th overall, and Watson went to the Texans at No. 12.
Trubisky has played more games but has fewer touchdowns, fewer yards and more interceptions than Mahomes or Watson. His 22 regular-season wins are the same as Mahomes and one less than Watson, but Mahomes also has a postseason victory.
Trubisky's play has improved in recent weeks, but the former
second overall pick currently ranks 23rd in passing yards (2,774) and is tied for 19th in touchdown passes (17).
Adding to the intrigue this week, the Chiefs have been one of the most dominant defenses against wide receivers.
As ESPN's Mike Clay notes, they've allowed the fewest receptions and the second-fewest fantasy points to the position, including the fewest to perimeter receivers. Kansas City struggled against the slot earlier this season but has improved since giving Tyrann Mathieu run over Kendall Fuller inside.
Allen Robinson (55 percent perimeter) will see plenty of both Charvarius Ward and Mathieu, while
Anthony Miller (81 percent slot) will primarily work against Mathieu and Fuller.
Both receivers will have tough slogs.
That said, Miller has now seen at least eight targets in four of his past five games, including 11 or more in three of those games. His 23.2 percent target share is second only to Robinson's 26.8 percent rate and proves similar to the likes of
Keenan Allen and
Tyreek Hill's respective shares of their offenses during that span.
Opportunities will be there for both Miller and Robinson, so don't bail on them completely.
And even with the Chiefs being tougher in coverage, those interested in Trubisky can take heart at the fact that, as noted above, he's racked up 92 yards rushing during the past two games to go with seven scoring passes and 916 yards via the air during his past three outings.
So he's not without momentum in this one.
