LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Chicago Bears coach John Fox changed his mind about this week’s quarterback rotation, announcing on Tuesday that veteran Mark Sanchez will not play in Thursday night’s preseason finale, and that rookie Mitchell Trubisky and Connor Shaw are scheduled to take all the snaps versus the Cleveland Browns.
Fox told reporters after last weekend’s game in Tennessee that Sanchez would play in the fourth exhibition game.
Why the flip-flop?
“I think he’s [Sanchez] had a lot of looks, it just hasn’t been with us other than practice, which is fine for us,” Fox said.
That means Sanchez -- listed as Chicago’s No. 2 quarterback -- will end his preseason with only 14 live game reps, completing 3-of-6 pass attempts for 27 yards. Sanchez did not see the field last Sunday in Tennessee.
Sanchez, 30, signed a one-year deal that could be worth $2 million.
On the other hand, Trubisky -- the second overall pick -- is 34-of-48 for 354 yards and three touchdowns (112.7 passer rating) through three preseason games.
Trubisky should pad those stats when he takes on Cleveland’s reserve defense at Soldier Field.
“I feel like Mitch has looked great,” Bears receiver Kevin White said. “He has a certain type of energy towards him. I think he’s a really good quarterback. And he can do a lot of things well.”
“He’s accepted in the locker room. Great guy. It’s hard not to like a guy like that. He works hard. He’s competitive. And he’s a good quarterback. So he’s accepted very well.”
