Cleveland Browns: Is comparing Myles Garrett to Mitch Trubisky fair?
The Cleveland Browns passed on Mitch Trubisky in last spring’s draft, going instead with Myles Garrett. Is comparing their future careers fair?
Two preseason games in, and quarterback Mitch Trubisky is making the Bears look pretty smart.
The Mentor High School product’s latest effort wasn’t as dazzling as his first, but the No. 2 overall pick in last spring’s NFL Draft still looked pretty darn good.
At the very least, he’s outplaying Mike Glennon, the man in front of him on the depth chart.
With the second unit, Trubisky was 6-of-8 for 60 yards and a TD. Glennon was 13-of-18 for 89 yards, a TD and an interception. Trubisky’s preseason stat line through two contests now reads 24 of 33 for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
Pro Football talk writer Michael David Smith wondered if Bears’ coach John Fox will give Trubisky his next test, which would include starting against the Titans in preseason Week 3.
"Now the question is whether Bears coach John Fox will really open up a true quarterback competition by giving Trubisky some playing time with the Bears’ first-string offense, against the Titans’ first-string defense in Week Three of the preseason."
Browns fans will assuredly pay Trubisky plenty of attention throughout his career, not only because his prep gridiron glory, but because his hometown team passed him up in the NFL Draft.
Many believe Cleveland did the right thing drafting Myles Garrett, and the No. 1 overall pick has come as advertised–at least through Training Camp and one preseason game.
But many have gone from being first-team, All-Berea to the third string, to out of the league.
Fans will juggle the juxtaposition of their franchise doing what many consider is the smart thing, which hasn’t been the norm in Browns town since 1999, as opposed to reaching for a quarterback many thought could be great, but probably a reach with the No. 1 pick.
The Bears were certainly lambasted for trading up to the No. 2 pick to take Trubisky, who had just 13 career collegiate starts to his name. Sure it was risky, but if Trubisky’s great, then Chicago did the right thing. They’re on their way.
Meanwhile, the Browns have a player who oozes Hall of Fame potential, all the while, sculptors in Canton can’t wait to begin the bust of another Cleveland legend who’s never played a playoff game named Joe Thomas.
Point being, if you don’t have your quarterback, good luck getting that Super Bowl.
If Trubisky turns out to be a good one, Garrett must be a transformative defensive player. Even then, his success will be tied to whomever’s taking snaps under center.
It may be unfair to judge Garrett and Trubisky, because they play different positions, but until the Browns find their quarterback, we’re always going to look at the one’s the front office passed up.
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How will you view Trubisky through the Brown and Orange glasses? Will you always compare his success to that of Garrett’s, or is it an unfair comparison?