Bears GM explains trade for Trubisky, confirms Glennon will start
The Chicago Bears provided the first stunner of the 2017 NFL Draft when they traded the third overall selection along with a third-round pick, fourth-round pick, and 2018 third-round pick for the right to select quarterback Mitch Trubisky second overall on Thursday night.
The move drew plenty of criticism and the ire of some Chicago fans. It all made sense to Bears general manager Ryan Pace, however.
"As we talked at the end of the season, I stressed the importance of the quarterback position and the importance of getting that right, how critical that position is for our long-term success. Obviously excited to add a quarterback of this caliber," Pace said, according to Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.
"The only chance you get to add quarterbacks like this is when you're picking this high in the draft and taking advantage of it. As an organization, we had conviction on this quarterback and his special attributes, and we did what we had to do to get him."
Pace also revealed the impetus for trading up one spot to secure Trubisky was borne from the fear another team might have done the same.
"I knew there were teams inquiring about going up. There were teams calling me, at our pick, wanting to come up. So you could feel that all around us," Pace said.
Asked whether the calls were from teams interested in drafting a quarterback, Pace replied, "For sure. Yeah. One hundred percent on that."
Chicago pulled the trigger on the deal despite signing free-agent quarterback Mike Glennon in the offseason.
Though the Bears spent multiple assets to acquire Trubisky, Pace said there's no question who will be under center for the 2017 season.
"Mike Glennon is our starting quarterback," Pace said. "There's no quarterback competition when Mitch gets here. Glennon is our starting quarterback. We'll focus on Mitch's development and Mike Glennon winning games for the Chicago Bears."
Glennon was signed to a three-year, $45-million contract, but his deal includes a potential out after the first season that would result in a dead cap hit of just $4.5 million. The Bears could sit Trubisky for one year, and then cut Glennon and promote their new quarterback to start for the 2018 season.
Among the characteristics Pace fell in love with were Trubisky's accuracy and ability to extend plays.
"If we want to be great, you just can't sit on your hands. There are times when you've got to be aggressive, and when you have conviction on a guy, you can't sit on your hands," Pace said. "I just don't want to be average around here; I want to be great. And these are the moves you have to make."