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The preparation for Sunday night began as soon as the NFL announced its schedule for 2018.
Bears-Packers. Lambeau Field. Sunday night football. And for the first time, Mitch Trubisky against Aaron Rodgers.
The latter seems to be a momentous moment for the second year of the second year. Trubisky's last game in the save for Mike Glennon came in the brutal defeat of Thursday night at Lambeau Field last year; Rodgers was injured and did not play when the Packers defeated the Bears at Soldier Field in November.
The Bears recruited Trubisky with the second overall pick to compete with the best quarterbacks in the league. But Rodgers is at a different level here in Chicago: he's 15-4 against the Bears in his career and led the Packers to a NFC Bears Championship win in 2011. By the end of the 2018 season, Rodgers have probably launched more than 5,000 yards against the Bears during his career while approaching 50 touchdowns.
So what Trubisky does on Sunday night will inevitably be compared to Rodgers. The Bears do not need Trubisky to do better than one of the best quarterbacks to play; even the matching can be a difficult question.
But on his first start against Rodgers, showing that the gap between quarterback and Green Bay is coming to an end would be an important step in the right direction for this franchise.
"It's a cool opportunity," Trubisky said. "Obviously, if you follow the game, what I do, and if you look at the players who have had a lot of success, what I do, you'll see that he's had a lot of success and I've watched what he did. I have a lot of respect for him and I just try to go out and help my team to have the best opportunity to go out and win.
"I try to earn my respect in the same way that he did – just create a good production, be a great player in this league and do it regularly. for a long period. So, it's really good to have this match, but it's nothing more than that. I must always go against their defense and make sure that my guys are all on the same page to give us a great chance. "
Under pressure
A hot topic of debate around Chicago after the Bears had managed this big hit for Khalil Mack, is if the deal puts more pressure on Trubisky or removes the pressure on the quarter-grade second.
That's because the Bears defense is ready to compete for the playoffs, which means that Trubisky's offense must match that. 2018 can no longer be considered a year of "development"; the Bears start the race, and while the window to win will be open for a few years after 2018, the exchanges for Mack have indicated that the Bears are ready to win now.
On the other hand, being supported by a top five defense could reduce the pressure on Trubisky, because from this point of view, this season no longer depends on his performance.
Trubisky, however, first said that Mack's move would take him away, but that does not change the way he approaches the upcoming season.
"What is the pressure? There will be a lot, there will be some if you talk about it, but I do not do it, "said Trubisky. "I know (Mack) a great player and he will help this team. But I will not throw him. He will not score a touchdown. So, that finally falls on us. We have to go and do our work. I
"I know it's going to improve our team but without any extra pressure. I think that will add more excitement to what this team can accomplish and what this team can do. But we know that we must continue to come together as a family, to become more united and believe in each other. We believe in this project that we have prepared the entire off season, so we are excited.
Sustainable impression
Packers coach Mike McCarthy faced Trubisky only once last year, with the rookie of the day completing 21 of 35 passes for 297 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Trubisky's final line was better than the Bears attack. They only managed six points before a 46-yard fourth-quarter homer against Josh Bellamy.
Still, McCarthy was impressed by what he saw last November and expects Trubisky to be a better player in the second year as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
"I loved the way Mitch carries the game, just look at how he reacted when he was given the opportunity," McCarthy said. "But you could see his growth throughout the season, and that's what you're looking for in all young players, especially at the quarterback." He has an excellent command of the offensive, he knows where he wants to go with football and his second year, he expects it to be much better. "
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