Mark Jon Gruden’s words: ‘Do not underestimate Mitch Trubisky’

The wait has been interminable for the faithful following the Bears.

Not the first month of this season, when Mike Glennon was starting ahead of rookie Mitch Trubisky. But the 13 seasons that fell in between the selection of Rex Grossman with the 22nd overall pick in 2003 and the we-have-to-have-him trade up general manager Ryan Pace made in April to select Trubisky No. 2 overall.

In the 13 drafts in between, 24 franchises drafted 36 quarterbacks in the first round. Two-thirds of the league took a swing at the most important position in the sport and nine clubs took more than one quarterback in that period. Fifteen of those 36 quarterbacks were top-three picks, ranging from Eli Manning, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan to JaMarcus Russell, Blake Bortles, Vince Young and Robert Griffin III.

At one point, all of those draft picks sold hope, and that’s what the Bears have been peddling since they added Trubisky. At long last it was an admission that something needed to be done, as there were five winning seasons in the 13 years between drafting quarterbacks and only one in the last six seasons.

Beyond overdue doesn’t do the situation justice.

There’s no telling what trajectory Trubisky’s career will take or how he will perform in his debut against the Vikings on Monday night at Soldier Field, but at long last the Bears have a player who generates real optimism at a position teams must correctly fill to have any chance to win consistently.

But soak it up, breathe it in and wrap your arms around that hope with one giant bear hug. That’s what they should be doing at Halas Hall too in the estimation of former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden, the analyst for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” and the guy all top quarterback prospects flock to visit in the spring.

“It’s exciting,” Gruden said over the phone Friday, his voice rising. “I never really wanted to lessen the excitement or lessen the expectations. I was always just thrilled that we had high expectations. I think that’s the buzz in Chicago. That is something the Bears have really been excited about since I don’t know when.

“I know there was a lot of buzz when they traded for Jay Cutler. I know there were people excited about that. But just looking at the recent history — (Kyle) Orton, (Rex) Grossman, (Jason) Campbell, Glennon, Cutler, (Matt) Barkley, (Jimmy) Clausen, (Josh) McCown — you can’t lower the expectations. Bring it on, have some fun, get excited. This young kid showed you what he is capable of doing in the preseason. He’s a great kid. Get behind your man.”

Gruden knows the carousel of quarterbacks the Bears have used in the last two decades. In 11 years as coach of the Raiders and Buccaneers, he faced the Bears six times. In those six games, the Bears started five quarterbacks: Orton twice, Shane Matthews, Henry Burris, Jonathan Quinn and Grossman.

That’s part of what makes this the most anticipated regular-season game of the 2000s for the Bears with the lone exception of the 2013 Week 17 showdown with the Packers, when it was winner-take-all for the NFC North. The Packers prevailed, of course, in large part because Aaron Rodgers made a play in the final minute.

“I am really impressed with what Trubisky did in the preseason,” Gruden said. “I saw him complete long passes down the field against the Titans. I saw him throw it on the move. His scrambling created a lot of offense. I saw him changing plays at the line of scrimmage.

“I have a high expectation for him. I think that’s why Ryan Pace made this trade. I remember just a few months ago everybody was up in arms about why they would trade up to get Mitch Trubisky. Well, you think the 49ers wish they had Trubisky or are they happy with Brian Hoyer?

“The story has to be written. He is going to have to get what he deserves and prove what he is. But when I listen to (Bears offensive co-ordinator Dowell Loggains) talk, when I watch the tape myself, this is a very exciting young quarterback and I would be excited if I was a Bears fan.”

Gruden can be prone to hyperbole in the broadcast booth. That’s a given. But he puts in the time to study the prospects every year. He gets to know them and works with them on the field in his annual quarterback camp.

The point is the Bears have a chance now, an opportunity to climb out of the abyss and return to relevancy, first in a division in which they have finished last for three years running. There’s reason for optimism for an organization that for too long lacked the nerve to make a bold move and aim for the future.

“I am pretty confident that you almost know right away whether a guy really has it,” Gruden said. “If the guy really has it, you know this guy has a chance to be outstanding. I think (the Bears have) been smitten with this kid since the beginning of the draft process — that’s why they took him so high. You go back and he is Mr. Ohio. That means a lot when you are Mr. Ohio for football. That’s a big deal.

“Why he went to North Carolina was a theme that was on my show. Why the hell would you go to North Carolina? It’s a basketball school, but that is where he chose to go. He had to redshirt. He had to wait patiently. He was loyal. He had all the intangibles I was looking for. He’s a great kid. He learns fast, has leadership traits, (is) tough and has plenty of arm talent (and) athleticism.

“He really wants to do well. There is a burning desire inside of him. It’s going to be contagious. I think everyone is going to be elevated a little bit when he jogs out there Monday night. I really believe that. Do not underestimate Mitch Trubisky. Don’t do it. You might be making a big mistake.”

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bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs