NFL: Chicago Bears sign Mitchell Trubisky to deal that could be worth $30m

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky believes the NFL is “bigger than” the contract offer he has yet to accept.

Trubisky, taken second overall in last year’s draft, signed a contract extension with the Bears worth $ Trubisky remains in his rookie deal, meaning Chicago would be allowed to sign him to a contract worth up to $27m more next year.

Trubisky was cut by the San Francisco 49ers before the start of last season before returning to the Bears to finish third in the NFC North.

After coming through two injuries to be on the field for the full 60 minutes in his last NFL game – a victory over the New York Giants – Trubisky says he wants to stay in Chicago.

“We have a new coaching staff and I’m having a great time with it,” he said.

“We’re building something special here in Chicago, and I just want to be a part of it and be a part of it a little bit longer.

“Our goal is to be Super Bowl champions. We all want to be champions.

“You see how the other team responds on Sundays, so there’s no reason why the Bears can’t be champions.”

In a parallel, albeit perhaps more peculiar, offensive storyline, Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson hurt his knee in the Week Four win over Tampa Bay.

The player who accounted for seven of his team’s 14 touchdown receptions last season played the full game and has a contract worth $60m (£47m).

Robinson left Soldier Field on crutches but later tweeted “look how much pain I’m in right now.. will be ok for the Bears game!”

He adds it would be a “real dream come true” if both he and Trubisky signed big contract extensions.

Robinson is also the closest of the Bears’ quarterbacks to the contract situation that will define their first season together.

Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay means the Bears are six games unbeaten, but coach Matt Nagy says a breakthrough win in next week’s showdown against the New Orleans Saints would cement a head start in the NFC North.

“We’re in the same boat as everybody else. We all feel like if we go on a positive streak, then we all benefit from it,” he said.

“That’s kind of how it is right now.”

Running back Tarik Cohen leaves Soldier Field on crutches. Many have hoped the win helps finally banish the baggage he carries into the NFL season from his college career at FSU. Photo ©All American Sports

Bears rookie receiver Anthony Miller, one of the most exciting prospects in the entire league, left the game in the second half with an injury to his right knee.

He was replaced by Duke Carter, and the rookie from Florida State will be an early injury concern for the Bears with DeShone Kizer at quarterback for the rest of the season.

Cohen returned in the fourth quarter and ran a short pass from Trubisky for a touchdown. He said after the game that he would likely not play Sunday against the Saints.

It is quite possible that the 20-year-old rookie will play much of next week’s game in the slot with tight end Trey Burton moving to the outside. Burton was part of the Philadelphia Eagles team who went on to beat the Patriots and win Super Bowl 52.

Making his second start at quarterback for Chicago, rookie Chase Daniel threw for 216 yards in the win over Tampa Bay, both the highest single-game totals for the player during the 2017 season.

Head coach Matt Nagy, who was hired in mid-January to replace John Fox, was originally thought to be in line for a $15m pay-day next season.

That is far from certain.

If he gets his way, the Redskins will release defensive end and sack master Trent Murphy on Friday morning.

Murphy, drafted 10th overall by Washington in 2015, was in the midst of a career year until his last game against the Patriots. He played in just four of the final eight games of the 2017 season and has been hampered by a sore back.

If the Chicago Bears get to the conference championship game, second-year head coach Matt Nagy, a former offensive coordinator at Kansas City, could see a pay-day in the $10m-$12m range. ©All American Sports ©Chris Ryan/PA Wire© 2017 AFP

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