The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t been in a position of need at quarterback since 2003-2004, before they drafted future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger.
Big Ben retired following the season, leaving head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers with a void at the game’s most important position. The team was left with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins, not exactly great options.
Feeling they needed to make a move, the team signed 2017 No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky.
READ: Deshaun Watson Is Better Than Mitchell Trubisky – The Shadow League
.@heykayadams isn't here for people who don't like Mitch Trubisky to the Steelers.
"It's a perfect situation." pic.twitter.com/SCd2gQ0BKA
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 15, 2022
Originally that didn’t sit too well with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, among other longtime Steelers fans. But once the disappointment of not going for a big-name QB to replace Big Ben wore off, it became pretty clear that Trubisky is a better option than the aforementioned Rudolph or Haskins.
“I’ve gotten over the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers got Mitchell Trubisky. I’m trying to recover from that. We all know I’m a Steelers fan. We know I’m no fan of Trubisky’s. He just doesn’t move me. And it’s hard. Well, I will say this. He’s 29-21 as a starter. And he did take a team coached by Matt Nagy to two playoff appearances. So we can’t ignore that. He’s definitely better. He’s definitely than Mason Rudolph.”
Pittsburgh's odds to win the Super Bowl @FDSportsbook
Before signing Trubisky: 55-1
After signing Trubisky: 70-1 pic.twitter.com/tOo7Pad41r
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) March 14, 2022
The loquacious Smith wasn’t done, as he then chimed in on 2019 No. 15 overall pick Dwayne Haskins and his chances of staying in Pittsburgh and the league following the Trubisky signing.
Trubisky, who’s considered a bust by many in the football world, and career backup Rudolph are set to be the two QBs the franchise keeps heading into the 2022 season, barring injury. Despite his first-round draft billing, Haskins has never been able to impress a franchise enough to give him a real shot at the starting job. His maturity has been a problem.
“And Dwayne Haskins, I know you’ve got a $2.5 million offer,” Smith continued. “You might want to start looking for a new career. I mean you can’t get ahead of Mason Rudolph in the NFL. Quarterbacking is not a part of your future, Dwayne Haskins. I mean, you can’t be outplayed by Mason Rudolph, and now Mitch Trubisky. I just don’t even know what to say to you.”
Hopefully, Trubisky Learned A Lot Sitting Behind Josh Allen Last Year
After four seasons in Chicago, which ended in two playoff appearances, Trubisky’s fifth-year option wasn’t picked up by the team. They instead signed journeyman Andy Dalton and drafted their future starter in Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL draft.
For Mitch, the writing was on the wall; go somewhere and sit for a year and see if the market for your services as a starter becomes vibrant again. After successfully sitting behind Allen, an MVP candidate, and learning under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Trubisky should be better for it. He’s had time to see things from the sidelines, and the game should’ve slowed down for him a bit.
Blessed with a strong and accurate arm, poise and great mobility, Trubisky will have some quality pieces at his disposal in Pittsburgh. Running back Najee Harris and wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool are weapons.
Mitchell Trubisky has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks rushing on scrambles since entering the NFL in 2017.
Trubisky has averaged 8.2 yards per carry on scramble runs during his career, the 4th-most in the NFL (min. 50 scramble carries). https://t.co/j5qt3CH5CI pic.twitter.com/cZoPEv7wMi
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 14, 2022
His new offensive coordinator Matt Canada witnessed first-hand what Trubisky could do in college. Canada was the OC at Pitt. While playing for the Tar Heels, Mitch lit them up to the tune of over 450 yards and five touchdowns. His mobility should bode well in Canada’s offense.
Bills GM Raved About Trubisky After Lone Season With Team
Following the Bills season, which ended in the heartbreaking overtime playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Bills general manager Brandon Beane knew teams would show interest in acquiring Trubisky via free agency.
“If anybody calls me about Mitch on another team, I’m going to give him a great recommendation,” Beane told reporters. “And I’ve told him and his agent, if he doesn’t get what he wants, we’ve got a spot for him.”
Well, it looks like that spot is with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, one of the classiest organizations in the league. If Trubisky is ever going to ascend past average starter, he’s in the perfect situation to maximize his ability to win football games playing for a head coach who’s never had a losing season
