The Pittsburgh Steelers have a bit of a backup quarterback conundrum this off-season. The big question is whether they should keep Mitch Trubisky or trade him. Recently, Steelers President Art Rooney II spoke to the media and said that he expects Trubisky to remain in black and gold. But is it really the right decision for either side? Trubisky is running out of time to turn his career around, and the Steelers don't have money to burn on a back-up quarterback.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) participates during training camp at the team’s South Side facility. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Prior to the start of the 2022 season, the Steelers signed Trubisky after his one-year deal in Buffalo expired. The Steelers also drafted the heir apparent to future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, Kenny Pickett. The original plan was to start Trubisky while allowing Pickett to acclimate and learn the ropes. Trubisky started through Week 4. During those games, he had 116 attempts with 69 completions, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. With the Steelers losing to the New York Jets, Mike Tomlin turned to Pickett, and it would be Pickett's team the rest of the way as long as he was healthy.
Trubisky wasn't able to get it done, the Steelers were 1-2 through their first three games and in danger of losing their fourth when he was benched in favor of Pickett. While Pickett was slow to start, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns for a bit, he did improve and the team was able to recover by the end of their season.
Kenny Pickett speaks with offensive coordinator Matt Canada during training camp 2022. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
After Pickett took over under center, the opportunities for Trubisky to show his skills decreased significantly. Trubisky came in a few times when Pickett was injured. This includes a game he would relieve an injured Pickett against the Baltimore Ravens in December. Pickett sustained a nasty hit and was put in concussion protocol. Trubisky took over and threw three interceptions. The Steelers lost a critical division game and the hope for a playoff berth began to dwindle.
Trubisky isn't cheap for a backup quarterback, but it is not outside the realm of possibility. If he stays a Steeler, he will earn a base salary of $8 million and has a cap hit of $10,625,000. By comparison, the Steelers' longtime backup, Mason Rudolph earns about $5 million a year. The only reason the Steelers can even entertain the thought of keeping Trubisky is because the starting quarterback is on a very inexpensive rookie contract. The Steelers tend to have a "stand by your man" philosophy and Trubisky has a year left on his contract.
That might be the rose-colored way to look at it, saying we planned to keep him all along. The reality is that it might be hard to find a team that wants to take him when his performance last season was lacking. But there are some teams that are desperately in need of a backup, let's look at a few.
Steelers Have Plenty Of QB Needy Teams To Call
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins found themselves in a world of controversy after starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was clearly concussed, but was allowed to re-enter a game, and then start the next week. Tagovailoa quickly suffered another concussion the following week and missed the next two games before returning to beat the Steelers on Sunday Night Football. Tagovailoa would then miss the final two games of the regular season for the Dolphins after suffering another concussion. It also kept him out of the playoffs. The Dolphins signed Teddy Bridgewater to be their back up last off-season, but every time Tagovailoa would get hurt, so would Bridgewater. Bridgewater is a free agent, and likely won't be back.
Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa is carted off the field after suffering a serious head injury on Thursday Night Football. PHOTO: JEFF MORELAND/ICON SPORTSWIRE VIA GETTY
With Tagovailoa's history, the Dolphins are going to need a solid backup and must be willing to spend a little bit more money than most. That's why they'd be a top destination to send Trubisky.
New York Jets
Staying in the AFC East, the New York Jets are another team that could be looking a back up, AND a starting quarterback. Their "franchise quarterback" Zach Wilson appears to be a bust, and back up Joe Flacco is likely heading toward retirement. The team turned to Mike White when they benched Wilson, but White will be a free agent next month. The Jets have the 13th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but that might not be high enough for them to get one of the top quarterbacks available.
Trubisky could get a chance to start in New York if they don't go out and bring in a proven starter. A battle against Wilson could be one that Trubisky could certainly win.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders have been searching for a good quarterback for what seems like two decades. Actually, it could be even more. Regardless, they made a huge mistake last season trading for Carson Wentz. He was horrible and was even relegated to the bench after he lost his starting spot when he was injured to Taylor Heinicke. Wentz would eventually return to the starting lineup when Heinicke was benched, but Wentz was quickly hurt and lost for the season. The Commanders are nearly assured to move on from Wentz after this season and Heinicke is a free agent, too.
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Washington Commanders quarterback, Carson Wentz cheers on his teammates.
The Commanders will pick 16th, one pick in front of the Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft. Much like the Jets, it isn't likely that they will find their next quarterback at that spot this year. This quarterback class has a lot more talent and hype than last season's. Depending on how things shake out, the Commanders could be a prime landing spot for Trubisky. Much like the Jets, he could find himself in a position to start. And at 28-years old, he's running out of opportunities to be the guy.
Other quarterback needy teams include the Houston Texans (Davis Mills?), Indianapolis Colts, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What do you think will happen with Trubisky? Do you think he will remain a Steeler? Do you think one of these teams will take him? Is he worth the risk for these teams? Click to comment below.
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