Bears GM: 'We believe in' Trubisky despite declining option

The Chicago Bears set up a make-or-break season for Mitchell Trubisky by declining the quarterback's fifth-year option in his rookie contract.

Despite the decision, Bears general manager Ryan Pace insisted Thursday that his team is still confident in the former No. 2 overall pick, who's set to compete with Nick Foles for the starting job.

"We've always had the approach where we're honest and we're truthful with our players and with our staff, then we move on and we get to work," Pace told 670 The Score. "That's where it's at. Mitch gets it. Everyone's competing. Everyone's focused on better results. That's the entire team.

"We believe in Mitch. That doesn't change. You can point to (cornerback) Kyle Fuller as a great example of a player who didn't get his option exercised. I'd think we would say that worked out well for him and for us."

Trubisky is now set to become a free agent after this season and could set himself up for a major payday with a bounce-back campaign. His 2021 option was projected to cost around $24 million.

The young passer was a major disappointment in Year 3, which led the Bears to acquire Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fourth-round pick in March.

Pace has said that it will be an "open competition" between the two quarterbacks.

In 2019, Trubisky finished 27th in touchdown passes with 17 and 28th in passer rating with a mark of 83.