Chicago Bears second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky had an increased level of productivity in nearly every facet of his game from 2017 to 2018, and it led to team success, as the Bears won the NFC North Division and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since the 2010 season.
So, what was Trubisky’s secret to success?
Leaving social media.
“I know what that did to me when I let those voices get inside,” Trubisky said in an article posted on ESPN.com Thursday.
“It was not good for my mental health. People are one keystroke away from accessing you. Why would I allow people who know nothing about me to have an opinion? Why would I allow them to have that space in my mind?”
Trubisky, a native of Mentor and product of the Cardinals football program under long-time coach Steve Trivisonno, ended his second regular season as the Bears’ starting quarterback having completed 289 of his 434 attempts (66.5 percent) for 3,223 yards and 24 touchdowns against 12 interceptions to go along with 40 20-yard throws and 10 40-yard passes.
Additionally, Trubisky rushed for 421 yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries. Trubisky ran for 29 first downs, meaning 42.6 percent of his carries moved the chains. Trubisky scrambled for four 20-yard gains and fumbled just once, as opposed to the five loose balls he put on the ground in 2017.
Despite dealing with a shoulder injury that cost him two games late in the season, Trubisky finished 2018 with a 95.4 quarterback rating.
“It’s important to always be in control of your time and your thoughts,” Trubisky told ESPN.
“You can’t let people on the outside take control. When you take away other people’s power over you, you’re in control of everything: your time, and how you’re working, and your peace of mind, and how you sleep at night.”
In 12 games as a rookie after being selected by the Bears with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Trubisky completed 196 of his 330 attempts for 2,193 yards and seven touchdowns against seven interceptions with 24 20-yard throws and four 40-yard passes, which led to a 77.5 quarterback rating.
Trubisky rushed for 248 yards, two touchdowns, 12 first downs, one 20-yard gain and a 40-yard burst on 41 carries.
Trubisky will make his first postseason start Sunday when the Bears (12-4) host the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) in a wildcard matchup at Soldier Field in downtown Chicago at 4:40 p.m./ET.