A winner has been named in one of the more notable quarterback battles this offseason.
Mitch Trubisky will retain his job as the Bears' starter to begin the 2020 season, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per sources. Chicago faces the Detroit Lions on the road in Week 1.
Nick Foles, whom the Bears traded for in March, will serve as the backup in a competition that could re-open during the season.
Bears coach Matt Nagy informed Trubisky late Friday afternoon, per Pelissero, who was consistently told the former No. 2 overall pick approached the competition "the right way" after nearly losing his job after three seasons. With no preseason games to evaluate, the competition played out on the practice field in training camp.
Trubisky, 26, is coming off a disappointing season that led to Chicago giving up a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars for Foles, whose contract was then restructured. The Bears offense was predictable and imprecise with Trubisky under center in 2019, ranking in the bottom five in total yards and a measly 17.5 points per game. Trubisky threw for 3,138 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as the Bears finished 2019 with an 8-8 record and out of the playoffs.
This all came just one year after the Bears won the NFC North behind a stellar defense and an offense that consistently took advantage of good field position and a solid running attack. Trubisky appeared to prove himself a solid game manager with upside after Year 2, but his 2019 season was enough of a regression for the Bears to make a move.
Foles, 31, may find comfort as the Bears' backup, a role he's championed over the years.
After all, it was Foles who helped end the Bears' short-lived playoff run in 2018, when the Eagles stepped into Soldier Field and stopped Trubisky's best season in the Divisional Round. Foles wasn't able to rescue the Eagles into another Super Bowl run that year but his play in Philadelphia led to a big contract offer from the Jaguars. An injury-laden 2019 had Foles out half the year, with his job eventually being taken by sixth-round rookie Gardner Minshew. However, if there's anyone who stays ready to play when called upon, it's the Super Bowl LII MVP.
