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Will Chicago Bears switch to rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky?

By The Sports Xchange
Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon looks to pass in a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI
Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon looks to pass in a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- If ever Chicago Bears head coach John Fox needed a reason to change quarterbacks from Mike Glennon to Mitchell Trubisky, he had it.

At least publicly, Fox still balked Friday after the Bears' 35-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers. But he wouldn't completely rule out a change.

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"I think, as I've referenced, the quarterback gets a lot more credit and a lot more blame than they deserve," Fox said. "We're looking at everything and we're not in a big rush to do anything about it because we don't have a game until next Monday night."

The Bears return to the field Oct. 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, hoping to improve on a 1-3 record. And it could be with either Trubisky or veteran Mark Sanchez calling signals instead of Glennon.

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Glennon has thrown five interceptions in four games, including two Thursday night at Green Bay. He also lost two fumbles against the Packers.

Asked what he and general manager Ryan Pace are focusing on when making a quarterback decision, Fox remained vague.

"I don't think many people in the league's buildings are putting out their private discussions," Fox said. "We won't be one of them either."

In the past, Fox and Pace have said they prefer Trubisky be a backup this season. During preseason, Trubisky seemed to light a fire under the offense with his mobility. But Fox said there's no way to know if Trubisky is ready to play.

"Until that happens, you don't really know," he said. "I don't think you (media) know and I don't even know. Regardless, it's who you draft, who you sign to a free-agent contract. I think that kind of tells what you think. Now you still have got to execute."

Sanchez hasn't been active for a game and Glennon's backup has been Trubisky. If the Bears deem Trubisky not yet ready and want a change, Sanchez would be an obvious choice after being a starter for the New York Jets.

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"I don't want to close or open any possibilities," Fox said.

Fox bristled at the suggestion the Bears would keep playing Glennon because he was paid $18 million.

"I don't think so," he said. "I go way back to when I came in the league; we weren't even allowed to know what a guy made because we didn't want that to influence the decision.

"I'm just kind of old-school that way. I just like to evaluate people based on performance."

One thing the coaches have to take into consideration is if players can accept keeping Glennon at quarterback. At least for now, the team remained unified.

"I feel like he's had opportunities and things to do well, but that's all of us," tight end Zach Miller said. "We all got whupped last night, not just Mike. He knows that he wants to take better care of the football; I don't think that's a secret. But we've all gotta do a better job around him to help him out.

"But it's no time for us to panic right now; four games into a very long season, and he's more than capable of leading our football team and getting wins."

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If a change occurs, it would seem unlikely to be announced before Thursday. Because the Bears have an extra day off, they'll begin their preparation for the game on Thursday. They don't practice again until Tuesday.

Glennon focused after the game on his mistakes rather than loss of his job.

"That's not my focus," Glennon said. "I'm going to watch this film, learn from my mistakes and look forward to improving myself as a player."

The turnovers have put the Bears defense in a big hole. They led to the loss in Week 2 at Tampa and also put the Bears in an early 14-0 hole in Thursday's game.

"The No. 1 thing we obviously have to fix are the turnovers," Glennon said. "I'm not giving our team a chance when you turn the ball over like that."

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