The Chicago Bears were 2-1 entering today’s game at Soldier Field against Tampa Bay, but they haven’t exactly earned a ton of respect around the league. That’s partly because of how they’ve gotten to 2-1 (including that big blown lead at Lambeau Field to 0pen the year), but mostly because while the Khalil Mack-led defense has been very good, the Mitch Trubisky-led offense has been shaky.
That’s not a surprise, of course; Trubisky was raw as a draft prospect, and after a wasted rookie season under a lame duck coaching regime, he’s adjusting to a more complex offense under new coach Matt Nagy.
Today, against Tampa Bay, Trubisky has looked more comfortable. Like, much more comfortable, as he’s thrown for five touchdown passes in the first half, more than any Bear has ever thrown in a game. The first came early in the first quarter, as Trubisky connected on a deep ball to tight end Trey Burton:
Trubisky. Burton.
39-yard @ChicagoBears TD! #DaBears #TBvsCHI
📺: FOX https://t.co/k4DDRJuh2F
— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2018
The second came on a beautiful route by Allen Robinson, with Trubisky delivering an inch-perfect ball:
.@MTrubisky10's 2nd TD of the first quarter!@AllenRobinson hauls it in. #DaBears #TBvsCHI
📺: FOX https://t.co/bQz9mh7N7w
— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2018
Then came Tarik Cohen working inside against a linebacker, which is always going to be a good matchup for Cohen:
Trubisky's THIRD TD of the half goes to @TarikCohen! #DaBears #TBvsCHI https://t.co/D06OJ8izIO
— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2018
Then a pump-and-go down the sideline to Josh Bellamy:
.@MTrubisky10 has FOUR TD passes so far.
It's still the first half. #TBvsCHI #DaBears
📺: FOX https://t.co/5ihsJynMZs
— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2018
The final touchdown was perhaps the least impressive from Trubisky’s perspective, but it was the most fun, as the Bears lined up in a formation featuring Trubisky alongside backup QB Chase Daniel in the shotgun, both looking like they could take the snap:
Two QBs in the backfield.
And it's a toss to @TGdadon1!@MTrubisky10's FIFTH TD pass of the first half! #TBvsCHI #DaBears
📺: FOX https://t.co/5DSAZ3Ev7n
— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2018
The Bears had actually lined up that way earlier in the half, only to see the play derailed by a false start (that drive eventually led to the Cohen touchdown reception.) It worked this time, though, and the shovel pass to Taylor Gabriel gave Trubisky his fifth touchdown of the half to the fifth different receiver.
A late field goal put Chicago up 38-3 heading into halftime, and it’s hard to argue that the Bears look like a team that can at least push for an NFC playoff spot. The first half also featured Khalil Mack’s fourth straight game with a strip sack and his fifth sack of the season.
Regardless of how the season ends up, the Bears are actually fun to watch again, and it’s been a while since that’s been true.
