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Mike Glennon says Chicago Bears told him 2017 is his year

By The Sports Xchange
Quarterback Mike Glennon, who signed with the Bears in the off-season, said team management told him 2017 is his year and not to worry about top pick Mitchell Trubisky. File photo UPI/A.J. Sisco
Quarterback Mike Glennon, who signed with the Bears in the off-season, said team management told him 2017 is his year and not to worry about top pick Mitchell Trubisky. File photo UPI/A.J. Sisco | License Photo

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears quarterback room is one big happy family.

At least that's the picture they've painted.

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Quarterback Mike Glennon couldn't deny being surprised over the draft-day trade to bring Mitchell Trubisky to Chicago as the second overall pick.

Yet, Glennon said the surprise quickly faded after his phone talk with general manager Ryan Pace.

"It was made clear to me about 10 minutes after from a call from Ryan and the next morning again: the 2017 season is my year," Glennon said. "That's all I can worry about.

"I'm not worried about the future. I'm not worried about the past. I'm worried about the present and right now this is my team and that's where my focus is."

Glennon and Trubisky worked together at quarterback in the offense for the first time this week along with Mark Sanchez and Connor Shaw, as the Bears brought in all players for the first organized team activities.

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Glennon sought to confirm what Pace said two weeks ago at rookie camp about there being no bad feelings between himself and the team, and painted a picture of togetherness within the Bears' quarterback situation.

When Glennon left Tampa to sign with the Bears in free agency, he left a situation where he was behind Jameis Winston. It didn't seem completely unlike the situation with Trubisky's selection in the draft.

"People might want to compare, but it's not the same situation," Glennon said. "I can only say it so many times: this year has been fully communicated that it's my year. I'm not going to worry about the future. As long as I play well, it will all work out."

If Glennon had to do it over, he said he's still sign in Chicago.

"There's absolutely no reason to go hindsight," Glennon said. "But even if I were to, I would still have came here.

"Like I said, this is my year. There are no guarantees in the NFL. The majority of guys in the NFL are playing year-to-year. I'm here to prove myself that I can be the quarterback this year and going forward. But right now my focus is on winning games this year."

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Glennon said he never brought up the draft situation ahead of time with Pace, so he didn't have a reason to be angry.

"It was never discussed," Glennon said. "The GMs and the scouting department make those decisions. I never brought it up. They never brought it up to me."

While Glennon called it a non-issue, Bears head coach John Fox did say it was necessary to talk to Glennon to make sure the situation was perceived correctly.

"I mentioned awhile back after the draft; it doesn't matter what position, you're taking a first-round pick if you have a first-round pick, and it's going to be some position, regardless of what that is, on a football team guys need reassurance," Fox said. "And then once they get back between the lines, it's football as usual."

Last year, the Eagles had an uncomfortable situation with Carson Wentz and Sam Bradford in the same quarterback room and eventually traded Bradford. At least initially, Glennon and Fox said they see nothing of that sort at Halas Hall.

"It's been clear in the building that this year is my year and everyone's on board with that," Glennon repeated.

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If harmony exists or is restored, the real problem is working into a new offense for both Glennon and Trubisky.

"Obviously, the more time I spend in it the more comfortable I'll be," Glennon said. "I have three different offenses in four years in Tampa so I'm used to learning a new offense. Hasn't been a real big issue for me."

Fox saw Glennon's initial efforts at learning the offense fully in step with what they saw of him with Tampa.

"He's kind of grabbed the bull by the horns and I don't expect it to change," Fox said.

During rookie camp, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said practices might need to be altered somewhat because he has so many quarterbacks in need of reps. Only Shaw returns from last year.

"As far as I'm concerned, it won't be an issue at all," Glennon said. "I get the No. 1 reps and that's all I know."

Trubisky and Glennon hadn't met before they got into Halas Hall together. After they did, they got along fine, although there is one lingering problem -- Trubisky went to North Carolina and Glennon to North Carolina State.

"My five years at N.C. State, we won four out of five, so I feel pretty good," Glennon said.

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