Bears' Nagy to let Trubisky cut it loose: 'We're going to have some fun'
Despite being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft and subsequently starting 12 games, Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky had a mostly forgettable rookie season, especially when compared to the likes of Alvin Kamara, Deshaun Watson, and Kareem Hunt.
However, with offensive wizard Matt Nagy now in charge of the Bears, and a plethora of new weapons at his disposal, Trubisky is expected to show the kind of talent that made him the first quarterback off the board last year.
As the Bears kick off training camp, Trubisky is already turning his new coach's head despite a two-hour downpour of rain at Friday's practice.
"There was zero complaining," Nagy told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. "The next time that play was called, it was under center again, we were walking toward each other and I was getting ready to tell him, 'Hey, go to the gun,' and before I could say that, (Trubisky) goes, 'I'm going to the gun.' I was like, that's what I'm talking about.
"We're going to have some fun with him. We're going to let him cut it loose. He's going to live and learn a little bit. And that's OK. It's good for him. There's going to be some scars that he gets. But I just want him to be him. Be Mitch. Be the best Mitch you can possibly be. Know we got your back and we support you. Cut it loose, have fun and let's go win some games."
Chicago added wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel and tight end Trey Burton this offseason to an offense that already boasted running backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen, giving Nagy the depth and variety of skill sets that he used so successfully with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Trubisky, of course, will be the key to unlocking the unit's explosive potential, and guard Kyle Long believes the young quarterback is growing into his role as the team's leader.
"He's a grown man now," Long said. "He's got some facial hair. He's got some bass in his voice. And he's really taken ownership of this locker room. And it's not something that's forced. It's organic and the guys believe in him and we're lucky to have him."