The Bears will decline quarterback Mitchell Trubisky's fifth-year option, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Chicago reached the decision ahead of Monday's deadline. If the Bears picked up his option, they would have paid Trubisky $24.8 million. However, the team still could have avoided paying him if it released him by March 2021.
Trubisky, a former No. 2 overall draft pick, would certainly have wanted the Bears to exercise his option, a step that typically comes before teams sign players to long-term extensions. However, Trubisky's days as Chicago's starting quarterback could be numbered either way.