Bears GM Ryan Pace says Mitch Trubisky is their starting QB in 2020

Bears general manager Ryan Pace said this morning that the team plans to stick with Mitch Trubisky as its starting quarterback in 2020.

Pace said Trubisky’s potential is “wide open,” and he will explore options at the backup spots.

Trubisky regressed across the board in his third season. He finished with a 63.2 completion percentage (18th in the NFL), averaged 209.2 yards per game (27th), threw 17 touchdowns (27th) against 10 interceptions and posted an 83.0 passer rating (28th). Other than interceptions, those were all significant dropoffs from last season, including a 12.4-point dip in rating.

Trubisky also finished last in the NFL at 6.1 yards per pass attempt.

Pace bet his job on Trubisky by trading up to take him No. 2 overall in the 2017 draft, passing on Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson to do so. Mahomes is the reigning MVP, and both are in the playoffs this season.

In 41 career starts, Trubisky has 48 touchdowns, 29 interceptions and an 85.8 rating.

Next season is the final one of Trubisky’s rookie contract, and the Bears must decide by March whether to activate his 2021 option. Doing so would set his salary for that season at the transition tag for his position, which will be more than $20 million. Pace said the team has not decided on that.