Mitchell Trubisky, born on August 20, 1994, in Mentor, Ohio, has carved a unique path in the NFL. Known for his highs and lows, Trubisky's journey from high school star to professional quarterback is filled with intriguing moments. Did you know he won the Ohio Mr. Football Award in 2012? His college career at North Carolina showcased his potential, leading to his selection as the second overall pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2017 NFL Draft. Despite facing criticism and comparisons to other quarterbacks, Trubisky has demonstrated resilience and flashes of brilliance. What makes Mitchell Trubisky's career so compelling? Let's dive into 50 key facts that paint a complete picture of this enigmatic quarterback.
Key Takeaways:
- Mitchell Trubisky's journey from high school to the NFL was filled with impressive achievements, including winning the Ohio Mr. Football Award and earning Pro Bowl honors in 2018.
- Despite facing challenges and inconsistencies in his career, Trubisky's unique achievements, such as never throwing an interception that led to a touchdown, set him apart as a talented and resilient quarterback.
Early Life and High School Career
Mitchell Trubisky's journey to the NFL began in Mentor, Ohio. His early years laid the foundation for his future success.
- Trubisky was born on August 20, 1994, in Mentor, Ohio.
- He attended Mentor High School, where he played for the Cardinals football team.
- During his high school career, he passed for 9,126 yards and 92 touchdowns.
- He also rushed for 1,559 career yards and 33 touchdowns.
- In 2012, he received the Ohio Mr. Football Award for his outstanding performance.
College Football at North Carolina
Trubisky's college career at the University of North Carolina showcased his potential and prepared him for the NFL.
- Trubisky committed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- He played under head coach Larry Fedora.
- As a sophomore, he served as the backup to quarterback Marquise Williams.
- In the 2015 season, he appeared in nine games.
- He made his season debut against the North Carolina A&T Aggies, completing 5-of-7 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.
- Trubisky had a 35-yard rushing touchdown in a 53–14 victory.
- Against the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens, he completed 17-of-20 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns.
- He made an appearance in the ACC Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers, completing a single pass for 16 yards.
- During his junior season, he recorded 3,748 passing yards with 30 touchdowns and six interceptions.
- He was named a member of the third-team All-ACC.
- Trubisky decided to forgo his senior season and declared for the 2017 NFL draft on January 9, 2017.
NFL Draft and Early Career
Trubisky's entry into the NFL was marked by high expectations and significant challenges.
- Trubisky was selected second overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2017 NFL draft.
- His first career touchdown was a 20-yard pass to tight end Zach Miller.
- In his first start against the Baltimore Ravens, he completed 8-of-16 passes, including a touchdown and a critical completion in overtime.
- During Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, he was limited to 107 passing yards, but the Bears won by a score of 17–3.
- In a 20–3 victory over the Cleveland Browns, Trubisky threw for 193 yards.
Breakout Performance and Pro Bowl Honors
Trubisky's breakout performance in 2018 earned him recognition and accolades.
- In Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he completed 19-of-26 passes for 354 yards and six touchdowns.
- The six touchdowns were one short of the Bears franchise record set by Sid Luckman in 1943.
- Trubisky became the first Bears quarterback to throw five touchdowns in a half since Johnny Lujack in 1949.
- He was named the FedEx Air Player of the Week for his performance against the Buccaneers.
- Trubisky led the Bears to their first division title since 2010.
- He earned Pro Bowl honors for his performance in the 2018 season.
Challenges and Inconsistencies
Despite his successes, Trubisky faced significant challenges and inconsistencies in his career.
- Trubisky's inconsistent play has been a subject of debate.
- He has had games where he performed exceptionally well, but also games where he struggled significantly.
- Due to inconsistent play, he was not re-signed by the Bears after his rookie contract expired in 2021.
- Trubisky spent one season as a backup with the Buffalo Bills before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- In Pittsburgh, he alternated as the starter and backup for two seasons before rejoining the Buffalo Bills in 2024.
Unique Achievements and Statistics
Trubisky's career is marked by unique achievements and notable statistics.
- Trubisky has started over 50 NFL games and never thrown an interception that led to a touchdown.
- He is the only quarterback to have started more than 50 NFL games and never thrown an interception that led to a touchdown.
- One defining aspect of his talent is that he’s never lost the big game.
- Despite being portrayed as an inconsistent quarterback, Trubisky is considered the best quarterback in his draft class.
- The media and football world often portray Trubisky as an inconsistent quarterback who was a bust.
- The Buffalo Bills picked him up this offseason, unaware that he will eventually take Josh Allen’s starting quarterback job and lead the Bills to their long-awaited Super Bowl victory.
- Trubisky's ability to rally his team to victory is unmatched.
- Unlike other quarterbacks who had extensive college tape, Trubisky’s college tape is limited.
- The closest comparison for Trubisky in terms of limited college experience is Mark Sanchez.
- Other quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill and Michael Vick, who also had limited college starts, do not serve as strong comparisons for Trubisky.
- Quarterbacks like Nick Foles and Josh McCown, who had one breakout season in college, would have been top-three picks if they had left after that season.
- Unlike Cam Newton, who derived much of his value from his running ability and had off-field concerns, Trubisky’s value is primarily based on his passing ability.
NFL Draft Mystery and Spread Offense Experience
The mystery surrounding Trubisky's potential and his experience in a spread offense contributed to his draft selection.
- The Chicago Bears traded up to grab Trubisky with the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
- Trubisky spent his time in school operating out of the shotgun in a spread offense.
- His adjusted yards per attempt (AY/A) was third-best in the ACC.
- Trubisky’s relatively low sack totals further boosted his passing statistics.
- The fact that Trubisky couldn’t beat out an undrafted free agent during his time with the Chicago Bears highlights the challenges he faced in establishing himself as a starter.
- Despite these challenges, Trubisky was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018.
Trubisky's NFL Journey
Mitchell Trubisky's career has been a rollercoaster. From his high school days in Mentor, Ohio, to his time at the University of North Carolina, he showed promise early on. Drafted second overall by the Chicago Bears in 2017, he had moments of brilliance, like his six-touchdown game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite earning Pro Bowl honors in 2018 and leading the Bears to a division title, his inconsistency led to a stint as a backup with the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. Trubisky's unique achievements, such as never throwing a pick-six in over 50 NFL starts, highlight his potential. Now with the Buffalo Bills again, fans and analysts alike are curious about his future. Will he lead the Bills to a Super Bowl victory? Only time will tell, but Trubisky's journey is far from over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this page helpful?
Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.