Imrem: Trubisky will be Bears starter before too long

The chants already are ringing in ears in and around Chicago.

They'll resound through Soldier Field on Sunday. They'll fill family rooms and sports bars. They'll echo in churches from Alsip up to Zion.

Chicago Bears head coach John Fox issued the depth charge to the depth chart Wednesday at Halas Hall.

He made the announcement before anyone asked because he knew it was the first question on reporters' minds.

Mitch Trubisky, pant-pant, is the Bears' No. 2 quarterback behind starter Mike Glennon and ahead of veteran Mark Sanchez.

Almost even before the words rolled over Fox's lips, you could envision concessionaires scrambling to order one particular piece of merchandise: A foam hand with two fingers sticking up as opposed to the traditional just one for “We're No. 1.”

The “No. 2” item — as in “He's No. 2!” — would be the hottest-selling item if available at Sunday's regular-season opener against Atlanta.

Bears general manager Ryan Pace explained Trubisky's ascent this way: “It's been consistent growth. Every one of these steps has been exciting to see.”

The original plan was to develop Trubisky slowly as a third-stringer. Instead he will replace Glennon as soon as the expensive free-agent acquisition squanders his opportunity.

It'll be helmet on, clipboard down, let the Trubisky era begin.

“We like Mike Glennon,” Pace said as to why the veteran still is ahead of Trubisky. “We talk about winning before the snap. Mike does that.”

But if — when — Glennon falters after the snap, Trubisky will be running the offense sooner than later.

Wednesday's excitement was why Trubisky shouldn't have beaten out Glennon or maybe even Sanchez yet.

The Bears, not exactly inspiring at this point in their rebuilding process, couldn't afford to skip over any step in Trubisky's news value.

The No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft — yes, “He was No. 2!” — Trubisky is too controversial a backup to rush into the starting lineup.

Better that the Bears milk the intrigue, anticipation and debate over whether Trubisky passed well enough to pass Sanchez on the depth chart.

The answer came Wednesday: “He's No. 2!” with a bullet.

Now concessionaires can get an early start stocking up on foam hands with a single digit sticking up for when Trubisky is granted his next promotion. In the meantime, the hope is that if Glennon is injured anytime soon, Bears fans won't cheer just because it means Trubisky is going to play.

Ah, cover your ears because these are football fans, not opera fans; it's a football stadium, not an opera house; sensitivity is optional, not mandatory.

Expect a different chant as soon as Glennon throws an interception in the red zone, if not as soon as the Bears' offense goes three-and-out.

“We want Mitch! … We want Mitch! … We want Mitch!”

Ever since Trubisky had an impressive showing in the Bears' first exhibition game, fans have been eager to step over Sanchez and knock over Glennon just to get a glimpse of the rookie.

Now Trubisky is one snap away instead of two from taking the field.

“He's No. 2! … He's No. 2! … He's No. 2!”

Mitch Trubisky will remain the people's choice at least until he throws his first interception in the red zone.