Staley Da Bear
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Trubisky dealt with move like professional
To no one's surprise, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky displayed a team-first attitude after being replaced by Foles in the third quarter. Trubisky told reporters that he was informed of the move by offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.
"I just accepted the news," said Trubisky, who completed 13 of 22 passes for 128 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a 71.8 passer rating. "I had Nick's back like he's had mine. The situation sucked, but it was just the flow of the game, how it was happening, coach [Matt Nagy] made the decision that he felt was best for the team. I'm really happy for this team. They battled back and it was awesome to get a 'W,' but it sucks to get news like that. But that's just how it goes. I've just got to control what I can control."
Trubisky was benched after being intercepted by Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson on a pass intended for tight end Jimmy Graham on the Bears' second possession of the second half.
"I was just working through my progression," Trubisky said. "I didn't see the defender in front of Jimmy. We just weren't on the same page. I was trying to get him the ball going out the backside and I didn't see that defender in front of him. I've just got to see in front of throws and make better decisions. Obviously, I have to play better to keep my job. It all falls back on me for not playing better in the first half, and when you have crappy plays like that, you put it out of your hands, and it is tough."
Nagy didn't enter the game planning to replace Trubisky with Foles, but the Bears coach conceded that he discussed the move with his assistants at halftime.
"We were lacking a little bit of rhythm," Nagy said. "There wasn't a lot of energy. There was just something missing a little bit … We wanted to be able to go out [in the second half] and just kind of get a feel for how things would go. Really when that interception occurred, I think you just kind of felt like, 'OK, we've got to make a move here.'"
Nagy declined to say whether Foles would start next Sunday's home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
"We haven't [decided] yet, Nagy said. "I think what we'll do is we'll go back and just kind of enjoy this one right now and then we'll talk through where we're at and what we think is the best decision moving forward. Honestly, we're not there right now."
Gipson cements win with interception
The Bears defense generated its only takeaway of the game at a key juncture; the Falcons had reached the Chicago 44 with 1:14 remaining when safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. intercepted an overthrown Matt Ryan pass to preserve the victory.
"My biggest thing was to come in here and show that I belong in this secondary," said Gipson, who signed with the Bears in March after registering 23 interceptions in eight NFL seasons with the Browns (2012-15), Jaguars (2016-18) and Texans (2019). "When the opportunity came, it just fell right into my lap. I just judged the ball and did what I've been doing most of my career."
Even a seasoned veteran like Gipson cherished Sunday's remarkable victory—especially after the Bears had staged a similar rally in the season opener in Detroit.
"It's just a crazy win," Gipson said. "Wins are hard to come by, let alone wins like this. It was a rollercoaster; this one was a little more extreme than Week 1. When I signed up here, I didn't know I was going to be aging and get some gray hairs."
The Bears had seemingly forced a turnover in the second quarter with a strip-sack by Khalil Mack that was recovered by Akiem Hicks. But the play was nullified by a penalty on Mario Edwards Jr. for roughing-the-passer.