Mitchell Trubisky Responds to Nick Foles Trade and Bears Declining His 5th-Year Option

Mitchell Trubisky was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2017 to be the face of the franchise. So far, the decision hasn't panned out, and resulted in the team declining his fifth-year option this offseason. This move didn't comes as a surprise for fans, and as it turns out, Trubisky saw it coming.

During a conference call on Friday, Trubisky admitted that his play "didn't merit" having his fifth-year option exercised. Instead of moping, the signal caller has set his focus on taking the team back to the playoffs in 2020.

Trubisky says he wasn't surprised his fifth-year option was not picked up. "I felt like the way I played didn't merit that." He is attacking the season doing everything he can to get the team back to the playoffs. He is "very motivated" and "eager to work". @WBBMNewsradio
— Jeff Joniak (@JeffJoniak) June 12, 2020

You have to give Trubisky credit for his self-awareness. Nobody knows how disappointing his play has been more than him.

Trubisky had a pretty good sophomore season in 2018, in which he helped the Bears clinch the NFC North title and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl. But he came crashing down to earth last season. In 15 games, Trubisky passed for only for 3,138 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His performance in 2019 held the team back from clinching a playoff berth, despite the plethora of talent Chicago boasted on offense and defense.

This offseason, the Bears acquired veteran quarterback Nick Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars as a contingency plan in case Trubisky puts the team in a hole early on this season. Trubisky saw the transaction and admitted it made him "pissed off in a good way."

MItch Trubisky on the #Bears trading for Nick Foles: "It was kind of interesting to me. That's the business that we're in. I think I was pissed off in a good way. I've been motivated ever since."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) June 12, 2020

Trubisky is as motivated as ever to not only keep Foles on the sidelines, but to prove that he deserves to be the Bears' starting quarterback for years to come. At this point, that's all fans can ask for.