During the 2018 season, the Chicago Bears relied on a veteran signal-caller leading a young receiving corps to return to relevance in the NFC North. This overview highlights how the quarterback play shaped the year and how key performances translated into wins.
Behind the scenes, organizational decisions and in-game adjustments set the tone for consistent competitiveness and a notable leap from the previous year. The following sections break down the critical elements of the Bears quarterbacks 2018 campaign.
| Player | Position | Season Passer Rating | Completion Percentage | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Trubisky | QB | 87.0 | 65.8% | Second-year pro, 16 starts, career-high 25 TD vs 11 INT |
| Nathan Peterman | QB | 72.6 | 60.7% | Backup relief late season, came over via trade from Bills |
| Teddy Bridgewater | QB | 82.0 | 62.5% | Week 1 starter before injury, traded midseason to Saints |
| Offensive Scheme Emphasis | System | — | — | Short-to-intermediate game, heavy use of tight ends and RPO concepts |
Mitchell Trubisky Development On The 2018 Bears
Trubisky took a significant step forward in 2018, learning to manage the pocket and audible more effectively within Matt Nagy’s emerging system. His completion rate and interception control improved, laying the groundwork for future growth as Chicago’s long-term franchise quarterback.
Arm Talent Versus Decision Making
While possessing an NFL-caliber arm, the biggest story remained his decision-making consistency, particularly in red-zone and third-down situations, which became more reliable over the course of the season.
Nathan Peterman Backup Impact
Peterman’s acquisition brought a veteran presence and a different style behind center, offering Nagy flexibility in practice and providing a steadier hand in the fourth quarter when called upon late in close games.
Teddy Bridgewater Injury Trade Impact
Bridgewater’s early-season injury and subsequent midseason trade reshaped the backup landscape and influenced practice repetitions, ultimately redirecting Chicago’s quarterback focus toward Trubisky and long-term planning.
2018 Game Plan And Quarterback Usage
Offensive play-calling favored controlled aggression, using motion and the tight-end game to simplify reads for Trubisky while keeping pressure off the line. This approach highlighted the quarterback’s progression reads and timing with receivers.
Looking Ahead For Bears Quarterbacks After 2018
- Focus on consistent red-zone decision making and minimizing forced throws.
- Developing timing with young receivers to leverage the full-field attack.
- Continued growth in pocket presence and protection recognition.
- Building a clear tandem plan between the starter and backup for smooth transitions.
- Using offseason work to refine route concepts that match personnel strengths.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many starts did Mitchell Trubisky make in 2018?
Mitchell Trubisky started all 16 regular-season games for the Bears in 2018.
Who was the Bears starting quarterback in Week 1 of 2018?
Teddy Bridgewater was the starting quarterback in Week 1 before suffering an injury.
Which team did the Bears trade Teddy Bridgewater to during the 2018 season?
The Bears traded Teddy Bridgewater to the New Orleans Saints midseason in 2018.
What change did Nathan Peterman bring to the Bears in 2018?
Nathan Peterman provided veteran depth and helped stabilize the pocket in garbage-time and late-game situations after joining the team via trade.