Like it or not, analytics have become an integral part of pro football. It's especially true in the assessment of player performance. So when an analytics giant like Pro Football Focus outlines the Bears' biggest offseason needs, it's worth paying attention to.
According to PFF, Chicago's No. 1 need area this offseason — you guessed it — is at quarterback.
We’re going into Year 4 of Trubisky as the Bears' starting quarterback, and he has still failed to crack a 70.0 PFF overall grade. He just isn’t going to develop into the guy the Bears were hoping for when they took him as the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. With plenty of intriguing quarterback options available to the Bears via free agency this offseason, they should attack the position to get back to contending in 2020.
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It's hard (if not impossible) to argue with PFF's summary of Trubisky through three seasons in the NFL. The Trubisky faithful will argue that his shortcomings in 2019 were a result of a combination of factors, ranging from the offensive line to the playcalling. But isn't a franchise quarterback supposed to rise above all that and provide at least glimpses of those special qualities inherent in the best leaders like Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson, to name a few?
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Trubisky isn't that guy. And after 41 regular-season starts, it's safe to say he won't be that guy. At best, he'll develop into an Alex Smith-type game-manager who can enjoy moderate moments of success. And if that level of play is buried somewhere deep within Trubisky's right arm, great! But the Bears can't enter the 2020 season assuming it's there. They have to put an action plan together to make sure the depth chart is secured with a strong QB2 who can quickly become QB1 if (and when) Trubisky fails.
Ironically, Pro Football Focus lists Chicago's offensive line and tight end as their other big needs this offseason, once again giving Trubisky truthers ammunition to back their argument that more protection and better weapons will bring the best out of the former second-overall pick.
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The sooner the Bears (and the fanbase) realize Trubisky isn't the guy, the sooner this team will return to true contender status. Otherwise, it'll be more of the same in 2020.
Criticizing Trubisky isn't fun. Suggesting he's a bust isn't pleasant. It stings; it burns the core of every Bears fan.
But sometimes, the truth hurts. And if the Bears want to move forward with a team that has a Super Bowl-caliber defense, they have to be honest with their assessment of the quarterback situation. And that honest approach has to start in free agency, where several quality veterans will be available.
Failing to do so will be the equivalent of football negligence.