Bears QB Mitch Trubisky fearless with future on the line in regular-season finale vs. Packers

Trubisky gets one shot to prove the last few weeks haven’t been merely a mirage, but if he flops, it’ll be the same old Mitch. His football future, including millions of dollars, is at stake Sunday.

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Mitch Trubisky is 1-5 in six career games against the Packers with seven touchdowns, five interceptions and a 79.0 passer rating.

Mitch Trubisky is 1-5 in six career games against the Packers with seven touchdowns, five interceptions and a 79.0 passer rating.

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A season of uncertainty and high stakes for Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky reaches its peak Sunday with a win-and-in game against the Packers.

There’s more on the line than the Bears’ playoff hopes. The futures of several key members of the organization could hinge on this game, especially Trubisky’s. He should be used to that feeling. It has been there ever since the Bears traded for Nick Foles and declined his fifth-year option.

But now it’s all on one game. If he plays well, it signifies that perhaps the last few weeks weren’t a mirage and sets him up to re-sign with the Bears or get a decent opportunity elsewhere. If he flops, it’ll be I-told-you-so all over again. His future, including millions of dollars, could swing dramatically.

It’s hard to predict which way Trubisky will go, but he’s ready. He has faced these circumstances all season and has led his team to the brink of the playoffs. He’s fearless heading into Sunday.

“Everything I’ve experienced this season has just made me stronger and a better person and player,” he said Wednesday. “What I’ve had to deal with and everything we’ve had to overcome as a team, to see where we’re at now, it gives you confidence.

“All the distractions and everything you have to deal with throughout the season and playing within a pandemic, it does make you mentally stronger as a person. And you’re able to deal with a lot more.”

As for the Bears at large, they can make the playoffs by beating the Packers. They’d be eliminated if they lose and the Cardinals win.

The last time Trubisky played in games with comparable implications was when the Bears were 6-6 last season and desperate to stay in the playoff chase.

Trubisky delivered an outstanding performance against the Cowboys, throwing three touchdown passes and posting a 115.5 passer rating, then fell flat against the Packers in a loss that eliminated the Bears. He completed 29 of 53 passes for 334 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions for a 64.5 rating.

His two worst games of the 2019 season were against the Packers, and they held him to his second-worst rating this season (74.7) when they blew out the Bears on Nov. 29.

That was Trubisky’s first start since being benched in Week 3, and he got better as he settled in and faced inferior opponents. The Bears won three of four as Trubisky completed 72.4% of his passes, averaged 250.3 yards per game, had seven touchdown passes against two interceptions (he also lost a fumble that cost them the Lions game) and registered a 108.5 passer rating.

“We put ourselves in a good position going into this week,” Trubisky said. “We’ve just been feeding off one another. We’ve had to bring it when we were in a drought, and we’ve just kept building off that and kept getting better and better. So the energy and adrenaline in the building, and for myself, has been pretty good.”

The Packers don’t have a great defense, but it’s better than that of any of the teams he faced recently. Green Bay is 16th in points allowed (23.5), 15th in opponent passer rating (91.8) and 11th in third-down defense (allowing 39.4% conversions).

Trubisky has only one victory against the Packers in six career starts and has thrown seven touchdown passes and five interceptions for a 79.0 passer rating.

Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine emphasizes keeping Trubisky contained in the pocket, eliminating his strength and forcing him to try to beat them as a drop-back passer. That would undermine everything that has been working for him and the Bears.

And on top of all that, even if Trubisky counters whatever the Packers send at him, he has to keep up with one of the all-time greats in Aaron Rodgers.

It’s the perfect test, and the whole league will be watching.

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