Mitchell Trubisky & Nick Foles in 'open competition' for starting role, says Chicago Bears GM

Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is going to have to earn his starting job for the Chicago Bears, general manager Ryan Pace acknowledged on Friday.

In a conference call, Pace told reporters that there will be an "open competition" between Trubisky and veteran Nick Foles, who was acquired by the Bears this offseason.

"Mitch is really embracing it," Pace said. "All he wants to do is be the best quarterback he can be for the Chicago Bears. Nick, same thing."

• What's waiting for Brady in Tampa?
• 'Denver smart to get Melvin Gordon'

The Bears selected Trubisky with the No 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, famously passing off the opportunity to take Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson.

In his second season, he led Chicago to a 12-4 record and the NFC North title, but the Bears lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card playoff round.

The MVP without a team - where could Cam land?

As the Carolina Panthers embrace a new era under Matt Rhule, we look at Cam Newton's potential landing spots.

Trubisky made the Pro Bowl in 2018, completing 67 percent of his passes for 3,223 yards with 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. But the 25-year-old regressed in 2019, connecting in just 63.2 percent of passes with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as the Bears missed the playoffs.

Foles, 31, spent last season in Jacksonville, who signed him to a four-year $88m contract. The veteran backup, who won the 2018 Super Bowl MVP when he filled in for Carson Wentz for the Eagles, broke his collarbone in the season opener and eventually lost the starting spot to rookie Gardner Minshew.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Earlier this week, Foles agreed to give up the $56.9m remaining on his Jaguars deal and instead shifted his base pay to a fully guaranteed, three-year $24m deal.

That includes an opt-out clause after the 2020 season and $8m guaranteed in 2020.

The NFL's feel-good free agency story

Four years after suffering a career-threatening knee injury, Teddy Bridgewater is onto his next challenge as free agency's feel-good comeback story.

Foles threw for just 736 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in four games last season. He has passed for 11,901 yards with 71 touchdowns and 35 interceptions in 58 games with the Eagles (2012-14, 2017-18), then-St. Louis Rams (2015), Chiefs (2016) and Jaguars (2019).

Sky Sports NFL will keep you updated with all the news and offseason storylines, including Free Agency and the NFL Draft. Follow us @SkySportsNFL and at www.skysports.com/NFL