Remember When Mitchell Trubisky Was a Hot Pick to Win NFL MVP? His Odds Are Now 95-1

• Mitchell Trubisky’s start to the season a point of concern for the Bears
• Desperation completion saved Chicago from starting 0-2
• Who should you be targeting for NFL MVP?

If the first two weeks are any indication, the Chicago Bears are going to be hard pressed to get where they want to be if they’re getting this version of quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

After a 120-yard passing abomination against the Broncos – only salvaged by the boot of kicker Eddy Piniero – the third-year Bears pivot endured a precipitous fall down the 2019 NFL MVP odds.

2019 NFL MVP Odds

*Odds taken September 17

In late August, Trubisky’s average odds were +2800, going as short as +1500 to win the MVP. Those have ballooned to a +9500 average, and his shortest odds are now +8000.

Highest percentage of uncatchable passes through two weeks:

Cam Newton 34.2%
Mitchell Trubisky 27.8
Ryan Fitzpatrick 27.3
Kirk Cousins 27.0
Kyler Murray 22.9
Matthew Stafford 22.9

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) September 16, 2019

While he’s likely played his way out of the conversation, are there other lonsgshots worth considering – especially as quarterbacks are dotting injury lists at a rapid pace?

Trubisky Can’t Find the Mark

The numbers are grim. Coming off a pro-bowl caliber season (as an alternate) where he threw for over 3,200 yards with 24 TDs and 12 picks, Trubisky seemed poised to make the leap.

mitch trubisky
week 1 vs. packers
9/5/2019
22/45, 228 yds, int pic.twitter.com/FtsHxUWxTM

— mansur (@mansurshaheen) September 6, 2019

Instead, he’s regressed. He had a career-high 66.6% completion rate last year. This year – while he has had to face some stout defenses to start – Trubisky has failed to come close to even 60%.  In Denver, he was near unwatchable, with less than 100 passing yards with more than 59 minutes played. He reached some ungodly levels of futility.

Mitchell Trubisky became the first starting QB to win a game despite (min 25 att):

– averaging 4.4 YPA or less
– passing for 120 yds or less

since… he did it in 2018.

Only full-time starting QBs w this feat:
– 2019: Trubisky
– 2018: Trubisky
– 2017: Cutler
– 2016: Osweiler pic.twitter.com/zdA3VQwDZx

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 16, 2019

To his credit – and perhaps one glimmer of hope that he and his Super Bowl-caliber teammates might be able to hitch their wagons on – he clutched up for his best throw of the season to set up the game winning field goal.

Here is Mitch Trubisky's big play from Sunday. He doesn't panic and does an excellent job of keeping his eyes downfield. Allen Robinson also does a great job of finding space and settling. This was an all around clutch play by the Chicago Bears offense. #Bears pic.twitter.com/qAQspu7xLT

— Dan DeYoung (@DanDeYoungFB) September 17, 2019

Let’s be fair: it’s still very early in the season, and Matt Nagy didn’t stop becoming an offensive genius. He should be able to find his QB some makeable throws, to build his confidence back up.

Mitchell Trubisky NFL ranks thru two games in YEAR 3:
*33rd in TD(0)
*32nd in Yds Per Att(4.8)
*32nd in Net Yds Per Pass Att(4.26)
*32nd in Yds Per Comp(8.3)
*31st in Passer Rating(65.0)
*29th in QBR(22.1)
*29th in Passing Yds Per Game(174)
*27th in Comp Percentage(58.3)

— Joe Ostrowski (@JoeO670) September 16, 2019

The schedule lightens up momentarily, as the Bears play the Redskins in Week 3, before another division biggie against the Vikings. Week 5 brings the Raiders, followed by the Brees-less Saints. Here’s hoping Trubiksy regains that promising form, because after that, they’ll play the Chargers, Eagles and Rams three of the next four weeks,

Who Should You be Targeting?

In other years, maybe Trubisky finds his way back into the MVP race, but even with quality quarterbacks crumbling out of the picture like Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees, there are a stable of super productive pivots that you shouldn’t be eyeing many longshots.

This was my favorite part of the game against the Raiders.
Mahomes hits Hardman for a deep TD then does this…..
Love my QBs #swag #Showtime #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/cuWHQ4kAQt

— ᏞᎾᏒᎠᏟhᎥᎬfᏒᎾᏟᏦᎪ?? (@JordanTribe_) September 16, 2019

Let’s be real, this is the Patrick Mahomes (+250) award to lose. Last week against the Raiders, he tossed four TD’s and piled up 278 passing yards in the second quarter.  The guy is the realest deal, and the effortlessness in how he uncorks 40-yard bombs is a marvel. His numbers, assuming he stays healthy, will be plain stupid.

Make that 4 TD passes for @Dak! #NYGvsDAL pic.twitter.com/XpMFUqqYEd

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2019

A little further into the field, you know I’m a big Deshaun Watson fan, but I wasn’t so hot on Dak Prescott (+1600). I am now a believer. Sure, it’s the Giants and Redskins he’s torn apart, but the way that he’s distributing the ball, it’s the best we’ve ever seen him. That Cowboys’ squad is loaded with talent. He can take them a long way.

Russell Wilson drops a dime to DK Metcalf for the #Seahawks TD. Beauty. pic.twitter.com/MJuWw5tGDB

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2019

Right there with him is Russell Wilson (+1600). The Seahawks’ star showed what he can do when the focus is on him dealing, and not the battering-ram running game they’re so accustomed to trying. Russ ripped apart the Steelers, throwing for 300 yards and three scores in Week 2. He’s in for a big year.