Here’s a little background on the Steelers’ decision to sign quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
On March 4, 2021, the Steelers renegotiated Ben Roethlisberger’s contract for one final season in the fall.
On March 18, Trubisky signed to play backup quarterback for the Buffalo Bills after he did not receive offers to be a starter after leaving the Chicago Bears.
Now imagine that at that moment I said, “Don’t worry, Pittsburgh! When Big Ben retires after this season, I believe the Steelers will sign Mitch Trubisky from Buffalo to replace Roethlisberger in 2022. Rejoice!
I would be criticized even for expressing such an opinion. Accordingly, I may add.
However, here we are a year later. Trubisky has thrown just eight passes since then, and the Steelers have done just that. They signed Trubisky to a two-year contract to (presumably) become the franchise’s next player.
I sent several tweets disagreeing with the move. And I was scolded for promoting this opinion.
It’s funny how perspectives change, even though Trubisky’s performance never had the chance.
I think that’s the difference between the Steelers theory and the Steelers reality. As soon as pen hits paper and you get the hypocycloid seal of approval, the roads are lined with adoring black and gold fans wherever you roam.
Well, until your first interception, of course. Then forget it all.
Let’s be honest, the news of Trubisky’s signing was met with thunderous applause in Pittsburgh on Monday for one reason. Most Steelers fans don’t believe current quarterback Mason Rudolph can adequately replace Roethlisberger and Trubisky can’t replace Rudolph.
Well, except that in many ways he is.
Trubisky’s career completion percentage is 64.1. Rudolf has 61.5.
Rudolph averages 6.2 yards per try. Trubiski average 6.7.
In his final year as a starter, Trubisky was 6-3 for the Bears. Rudolph was 5-3 for the Steelers in 2019.
So I agree with the masses that Trubisky is a little better. Also, he’s more athletic, more experienced, and has established himself as a first-round pick rather than just the Steelers who gave Rudolph a “first-round score.”
Fine. So what does this mean in terms of total wins in 2022? What were you thinking when Rudolph or Duane Haskins were sailing in Pittsburgh this fall? Six or seven wins after there were nine last season?
That would be my prediction.
What will Trubisky get if he stays healthy all year? Eight or nine wins and, at best, another crushing defeat in the first round of the playoffs?
If Rudolph or Haskins become the Steelers quarterbacks in early 2022, the organization will have the worst starting quarterback in the division.
Would you put any of these two ahead of Joe Barrow, Lamar Jackson or Baker Mayfield? Jackson was the MVP. Nora may soon be one of them. And no matter how little Pittsburgh thought about Mayfield, I still wouldn’t put him in those two options for the Steelers.
And I wouldn’t put him behind Trubisky. At least not every player’s version of 2020, when Trubisky was still starting in Chicago and Mayfield wasn’t trying to play through a sore knee and shoulder.
So, if the Steelers are entering the 2022 AFC North, still playing with the fourth-best quarterback in the division, and unlikely to win double-digit games with any of those three quarterback options, what’s the point of signing him? Why not take the money spent on Trubisky and spend it elsewhere?
Like, anywhere.
Tom Pelissero NFL networks says the contract is for two years worth $14.25 million and benefits could be as high as $27 million. Indeed, initially it can turn out to be quite a good deal.
For the sake of argument, let’s keep things simple and divide that number in half and say it’s $7 million a year. What can it give you?
Well, what needs to be done to keep defender Akello Witherspoon? Cameron Sutton makes $5.2 million if you want a comp. Trubisky’s number should cover this, leaving funds that would otherwise be spent on Witherspoon to be used elsewhere.
As another point of reference, Joe Schobert is expected to earn $8.75 million in cash in 2022 ($1.88 million). Maybe funnel the money into raising the level of the inside midfielder. Currently, only five players on the Steelers have a cap in excess of $7 million in 2022.
The popular battle cry in Pittsburgh is that Trubisky is better than his Chicago resume shows because recently fired Bears head coach Matt Nagy “destroyed” him or “stopped his development.”
But will current Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who Pittsburgh fans routinely gut after every game, be the guy to fix Trubisky? Is this the story we’re spinning?
Canada is portrayed by most fans as an under-qualified, over-exposed college coach who can’t make the offense work with a Hall of Famer under center. But since Trubisky can at least run a little and avoid the terrible pass-blocking of the offensive line, will Canada’s true genius be revealed?
Clear.
Blimey. A little bit of pixie steelers dust definitely makes a big difference in March, doesn’t it?
I have nothing against Trubisky. I just don’t like this move. Mainly because I don’t see the need for it. This throws the numbers into a position that only needs one healthy starter and a capable backup.
My quarterback flowchart was to swing at Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Derek Carr. Based on how things turned out in each case, I understand why it didn’t happen.
My next option was to pick a first-round quarterback if they saw someone they really liked. Perhaps they didn’t find it.
After that, I see no point in mixing the quarterback position with a bridge quarterback like Trubisky. I constantly see this phrase being used to describe him. “Bridge QB”. I thought that was how Rudolph should have been when he was given another year on his 2022 contract.
Bridge to what? Another Roethlisberger? Or another Cliff Staudt?
The only thing I know about bridges in Pittsburgh is that they are often closed, overloaded, sometimes on fire, and sometimes destroyed.
If we are talking about Trubisky, then I am afraid that the analogy will seem too accurate.
Tim Benz is a staff columnist for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise noted.