NFL odds against Mitchell Trubisky starting for Bears Week 1 or returning in 2021

Early this month, the Chicago Bears declined the fifth-year rookie option on the contract of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, whom GM Ryan Pace traded up one spot to take No. 2 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft – ahead of both Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, who had their fifth-year rookie options picked up in no-brainer moves.

Had the Bears picked up the option, Trubisky would have been paid around $25 million in 2021 and his contract would have become guaranteed if he was injured. Pace clearly didn't want to take that risk after trading for Nick Foles this offseason and inheriting a contract worth about $21 million in guarantees.

Just because Trubisky's option wasn't picked up doesn't mean the Bears can't slap the transition or franchise tag on him after this season. The two sides could also work out a long-term extension if Trubisky takes a big step forward on the field. Last year, his 6.1 yards per attempt ranked 32nd in the NFL and his rating of 83.0 was 28th.

However, courtesy of ESPN's Bill Barnwell, here's why Bears fans probably will be seeing Trubisky in another uniform next year: Eight previous former first-round quarterbacks have had their fifth-year option declined. Not a single one them made it to a fifth year with the team that drafted them.

Six didn't even take an NFL snap in the fifth year: Jake Locker, EJ Manuel, Christian Ponder, Brandon Weeden, Johnny Manziel and Paxton Lynch. Teddy Bridgewater (drafted by Minnesota) was a backup to Drew Brees in New Orleans in his fifth year, and Blaine Gabbert (drafted by Jacksonville) saw eight games of action in his fifth year with the 49ers.

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The longer the coronavirus keeps NFL teams from offseason activities, one might think that would improve Trubisky's chances of starting Week 1 in Detroit over Foles. After all, Trubisky does know the offense better than Foles does (even though Foles has been in a similar system previously with the Eagles and Chiefs). Trubisky also has pretty good numbers in five career games vs. Detroit, completing 70 percent of his passes for 1,359 yards, 11 TDs and four picks.

However, the SportsLine oddsmakers still solidly favor Foles to get the call. Bears coach Matt Nagy recently told reporters that no QB competition would take place while team activities are happening online. Chicago is a 1.5-point underdog at William Hill sportsbook in Detroit.

Who will be the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback Week 1?

• Nick Foles -300
• Mitch Trubisky +200