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Trubisky knows he can lean on Chicago Bears teammates

In one respect, Mitch Trubisky is the perfect quarterback for a Chicago Bears team that is 5-20 in its last 25 games.

"When things break down," the rookie said, "I'm able to make plays and get the ball to my playmakers … I can maybe make something happen."

Trubisky waited two long years for his chance to become the No. 1 quarterback at North Carolina but just four games before becoming the Bears' starter.

As the second overall pick in the draft, expectations are sky high for Trubisky despite his relative lack of experience.

"I'm excited," he said. "I'm just going to be depending on my teammates a lot. My job is to get the ball to the playmakers and just be a distributor and manage the offense as best I can."

Ideally, Trubisky would have had more time to become acclimated to the NFL after just one year as a starter in college. But coach John Fox felt it was time for a change after Mike Glennon committed 8 turnovers in the first four games.

"Make this clear, players are evaluated on how they play," Fox said. "You can have all the timelines and all the plans you want to make. But at the end of the day, it's about performance, and ultimately that's what you make decisions on."

The fresh start cannot hurt after stumbling to a 1-3 start, but Fox made it clear to his team when announcing the QB change that it wasn't a cure-all.

"I think with them putting Mitch in there, it's kind of like hitting the reset button and starting over," wide receiver Markus Wheaton said. "But (Fox) said it isn't like waving a magic wand. We have to get better as a team, and I think we all agree with that."

Unfortunately for Trubisky, he'll be working with the same crew that has been plagued by drops and already has lost Cam Meredith and Kevin White to injuries. Wheaton has been back from a broken finger for two games but has yet to catch a pass.

"We know, based on last week (35-14 loss at Green Bay), that we've got a lot to prove," Trubisky said, "and we've got a lot we need to improve at."

Other than taking better care of the football, Trubisky can help the offense by playing to his strengths.

He gives the offense dimensions that were lacking with Glennon. The Bears will be able to move the pocket more because of Trubisky's athleticism, ability to create on the move and extend plays.

He said part of his readiness is the feedback he has received from teammates on and off the field.

"It's how my teammates have faith in me and how they kind of rally around me when I'm in there," he said. "They've seen what I can do throwing the ball, running around, creating plays and just really doing my job."

Trubisky's performance in the preseason (106.2 passer rating) and in practice should provide a shot of adrenaline for a team in need of energy.

"There's excitement around the position that Mitch is in," tight end Zach Miller said. "First-round pick, franchise QB, being able to extend the play (and) be accurate on the move. That's what he brings to the table."

No one could ask for a brighter spotlight than the national audience of Monday Night Football in front of the home fans at Soldier Field.

"Will he make mistakes?" Fox said. "I'm sure. But I think he's ready for it. I think he'll respond well."

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.

Is Mitch Trubisky ready to start? Chicago Bears are about to find out

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