The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky in 2022 to replace Ben Roethlisberger. The former number two overall pick by the Chicago Bears (who was selected before Patrick Mahomes), was tasked with leading the franchise forward through a transition period. Trubisky had lost his job as the starter in Chicago after an inconsistent start to his career, but was effective in limited action for the Buffalo Bills as a backup to Josh Allen.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky has to rely on those around him to find success when filling in for Kenny Pickett.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Trubisky was mobile, and Matt Canada’s offense was filled with run/pass options that should have taken advantage of his unique skillset. Unfortunately for Trubisky, that plan lasted until the Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was no longer a bridge quarterback; he was the placeholder. The clock started ticking from the moment Pickett stepped onto the field for the first time in his NFL career to a standing ovation in a preseason game.
On Thursday, Mike Tomlin held his final press conference of the season. After storming out of the press conference in Orchard Park after the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of the Bills, 31-17, Tomlin was patient and answered all the questions thrown at him, including a question about the future of Trubisky in the black and gold.
“I haven’t met with Mitch yet,” Tomlin answered. “We are at the very early stages of some of that stuff. We’ll see where the roads lead us.”
Trubisky was elected as an offensive captain in 2022. By all reports, he is a heck of a nice guy. Diontae Johnson was not his biggest fan. The wide receiver, who has come under heavy fire during his career in Pittsburgh for dropping passes, running backward, and lack of effort, also allegedly got his quarterback benched. What was reported as a heated exchange between Johnson and Trubisky effectively ended his tenure as a starter at halftime of the New York Jets game in 2022. It was just Trubisky's fourth start in Pittsburgh.
-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / x: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' Mitch Trubisky (#10) and Kenny Pickett (#8) warm up before taking on the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers' Historical Patience With Quarterbacks Will Be Eye-Opening Experience For New Generation Of Fans
Pittsburgh has never been good at evaluating quarterbacks. Roethlisberger is the only Steelers quarterback in the Super Bowl era who did not lose his job as a starter at some point in his career. He was injured multiple times, and the NFL even suspended him, but he was never benched for poor performance. Every other Steelers starter, from Terry Bradshaw to Trubisky, has been yanked at one time or another by Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and now Tomlin. Pickett technically lost his job due to injury, but there is always next season.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Mitch Trubisky shakes hands with Mike Tomlin on the sideline.
The Steelers compounded the Trubisky error by signing him to an extension in the 2023 offseason. He is one of the top five highest-paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL, and he still has one year to go on his current contract. It would be more shocking than retaining Canada for the 2023 season if Trubisky is still on the roster by the time the team reports for OTAs. The Steelers might have difficulty retaining Mason Rudolph who is a free agent, but Trubisky should not be back, and he should not collect one dime of his 2024 contract.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? What are you setting the over/under at for days Trubisky remains on the Steelers roster? Please comment below or on my X: @thebubbasq.
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