Trubisky wasn't going to save Bears, but loss to Packers was brutal
With Virginia McCaskey in the stands at Lambeau Field and the sports world watching on "Sunday Night Football," Mitch Trubisky stepped back into the starting quarterback role - complete with an impassioned pregame speech caught on camera.
What followed was another prime-time debacle.
Trubisky threw 2 interceptions into heavy coverage and surrendered 1 fumble, which was returned for a touchdown. The Packers cruised to a 41-25 win for their 100th win over their biggest rival. The Packers now lead the all-time series, 100-95-6, against the Bears.
With starting quarterback Nick Foles out because of a hip injury, Trubisky started for the first time since Week 3. The 2017 No. 2 overall draft pick was never likely to save the 2020 season, but Sunday's results were far worse than even the most pessimistic of prognosticators could've predicted.
Trubisky took a deep shot early in the game to receiver Darnell Mooney, who was covered by two Packers, and was picked off in the end zone. Later, Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith strip sacked Trubisky and teammate Preston Smith picked up the loose ball and ran it to the end zone for a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Bears defense couldn't find any way to stop Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers. A Bears defense that has been so good at times this year - the No. 1 third-down defense in the NFL - finally appeared to have checked out. Rodgers hardly threw an incompletion as the Packers jumped out to a 27-3 lead. Rodgers threw 3 touchdown passes in the first half and finished with 4.
The Bears were without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, which was a significant loss on the defensive line, especially against the run. But it shouldn't have been the type of loss that led to a 41-point outburst by the Packers. The Bears defense missed tackles all night. It failed to create any turnovers.
Coming off a bye week, the Bears' turned their four-game losing streak into five. Over the last six weeks, they've watched their playoff hopes wash down the drain in slow motion. The Bears have winnable games remaining on the schedule, but it's fair to wonder if this losing streak will ever end.
As has been the story over the past four years, Trubisky did some nice things in Sunday's game, but they were overshadowed by the mistakes. Trubisky led three touchdown drives of 70 yards or more, but two of those came with the game already out of reach. He threw his second interception in the second half, this time throwing into triple coverage.
It was already apparent weeks ago that the Bears don't have a quarterback of the future. Sunday's performance cemented it. General manager Ryan Pace was spotted on the NBC broadcast shaking his head.
So were Bears fans everywhere.