Bears coach Nagy confirms Trubisky will be starting QB

Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy saw a different version of Mitchell Trubisky than he has in past.

explanation Nagy offered Sunday for selecting Trubisky over Nick Foles in Bears’ quarterback competition had more to do with Trubisky’s strides as a quarterback than any disadvant Foles faced from a lack of offseason work in team’s offense because of league's COVID-19 restrictions.

“In end, Mitch won job and I think that’s very important for him, for us, for everybody, to understand, that he worked really hard to get to this point,” Nagy sad. “We kw that we all, in a lot of different areas, struggled in 2019.

“And so what I think was most impressive, from end of season until this past weekend, was to be able to see some of growth in practice and off field that Mitch had.”

Nagy confirmed an ESPN report from Friday and on Sunday selected Trubisky his starting quarterback for this season.

Foles had come over in a trade for a fourth-round draft pick with Jacksonville after Trubisky struggled last year and saw his passer rating decline from 95.4 to 83.0. decision comes after an offseason when Trubisky’s fifth-year contract option was declined by Bears.

Neir of those situations seemed to deter Trubisky.

“I’m a believer that everything happens for a reason one way or ar,” Trubisky said. “So m t picking up my option, bringing in competition, I truly believe it was just a part of my journey and something I had to deal with in order to get better.

“I believe way you deal with things is going to determine how it builds you up and it only makes you better in long run. I just accepted it as a challenge.”

improvement Nagy saw in Trubisky manifested itself in different forms on field.

“For him, I thought he really finished strong, which was good,” Nagy said. “To finish strong with some really accurate throws in red zone, he did some things. I told you all along his footwork has been much better in pocket, in regards to staying up in that pocket and hitching up re. Decision-making has been improved.

“So we’re always working to try to get that better, and he kws that. You could feel command. And I think difference in command that I felt, and that our coaches felt, was, it’s one where it’s very natural. It wasn’t made up. It wasn’t being told from somebody how to act. It was just very organic, and you can tell that with guys, when y are natural with that.”

Foles had described quarterback competition as difficult because learning offense was “expedited” during an offseason with on-field work because of COVID-19.

“w that I look back, I think that that probably affected some things,” Nagy said. “And n you have a short summer with training camp as well, with reps. But that doesn’t discredit or take anything away from Mitch.”

Foles was backup to Carson Wentz in Philadelphia in 2017, but led Eagles to title in Super Bowl 52 with a 41-33 win over New England. He was backup next season when ar injury to Wentz forced him back on field and he led team to a 16-15 playoff win over Bears at Soldier Field.

So backup role isn’t unfamiliar to him. He congratulated Trubisky with a phone call afterward.

“ thing I’ve been really impressed, just watching him from a physical standpoint, is his ability to throw ball on run,” Foles said of Trubisky. “I think he does a really nice job. In person, he’s one of better quarterbacks I’ve seen with his accuracy throwing on run.

“I think, just personality-wise, I really just enjoy being around him, just from a personal standpoint. He’s a guy that’s easy to work with, and sometimes in QB rooms that’s t always easy.”

TES: Bears running back David Montgomery was on field for Sunday’s practice. He had been out since Aug. 26 because of a groin strain. Nagy said he was t going to comment on Montgomery’s playing status until injury reports come out on Wednesday. ... Outside linebacker Robert Quinn and cornerback Kyle Fuller missed Sunday’s practice without an explanation from team.