Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane says he expects Mitchell Trubisky's arrival to be a 'reset' for the former Chicago Bears quarterback; Trubisky will back up 2020 Pro Bowl selection Josh Allen
Thursday 18 March 2021 20:17, UK
The Buffalo Bills agreed to terms on a one-year deal with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on Thursday.
The Chicago Bears parted ways with the former No 2 overall draft pick after four seasons and a 29-21 record.
Trubisky will back up 2020 Pro Bowl selection Josh Allen in Buffalo. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 26-year-old started the first three games for Chicago last season before being benched for Nick Foles, then regained the job in Week 12.
He rallied the Bears to victories in three of their last four games to earn a spot in the playoffs, where they were eliminated by the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card round.
The Bears declined to pick up his fifth-year option, making him a free agent.
General manager Brandon Beane doesn't expect Trubisky to be with the Bills for more than one season.
"This is a reset for him," he said. "We don't expect him to be here long term. This is a one year (deal). We hope it's a great reset for him, making him be the best version of himself in Buffalo and hopefully in a year he can go land a nice starting job."
Trubisky, who was picked ahead of fellow quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes (10th) and Deshaun Watson (12th) in the 2017 NFL Draft, made the Pro Bowl and led Chicago to the NFC North division title in 2018.
He completed 64.0 percent of his passes for 10,609 yards with 64 touchdowns and 37 interceptions in 51 games (50 starts) for the Bears. He also rushed for 1,057 yards and eight touchdowns.
Former Bills backup Matt Barkley posted an apparent farewell on social media Thursday after the team announced Trubisky's signing.
"Love you Buffalo, it's been real," he tweeted.
Barkley, an eight-year veteran, spent the last three seasons with the Bills.
