Exclusive on Steelers; Steelers, Mitch Trubisky Make Final Call of QB’s Future: Report
It was a foregone conclusion several weeks ago that the Pittsburgh Steelers did not want to bring back quarterback Mitch Trubisky for the 2024 season. The decision became official on February 12th. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Steelers and Trubisky have agreed to part ways.
Garafolo wrote further In two seasons with the Steelers, Trubisky appeared in 12 games and made seven starts. The Steelers were 2-5 in those starts. Trubisky has a 64.1 percent completion percentage with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt.
As a starter in 2023, he went 0-2 with a 62.6% completion percentage, four touchdowns and five interceptions, averaging 5.9 yards per pass. The Steelers benched Trubisky in favor of Mason Rudolph after his second start.
The Steelers and QB Mitch Trubisky have agreed to part ways.
According to Garafolo’s report, the Steelers and Trubisky wanted a fresh start. But even if Trubisky wanted to return, it’s hard to imagine the team bringing him back until 2024.
The Steelers originally signed Trubisky to be the team’s starter through the 2022 offseason. But Kenny Pickett fell to the 20th pick in the first round of the draft, and the Steelers added what looks to be the organization’s future franchise quarterback.
Trubisky began 2022 as the team’s starter. But it only lasted three and a half games.
During the remainder of the 2022 season, Trubisky made two relief appearances with mixed results. He also started in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers.
Two of those games were won by Pittsburgh, the latter of which kept the Steelers in the playoffs. So when Trubisky agreed to a cap-reducing contract extension through 2023, the Steelers decided to bring the veteran quarterback back for his final season.
This decision was reversed. Trubisky received no offense in three relief appearances against Pickett. All of those games ended in losses for Pittsburgh. Trubisky also held the Steelers to just 31 points in two starts, one of which came against the lowly New England Patriots.
Meanwhile, the Steelers put Rudolph behind Trubisky. After replacing Rudolph Trubisky in the starting lineup, he finished the regular season by leading Pittsburgh to three wins.
Trubisky has shot 65.5 percent with two interceptions and three touchdowns in two starts this season. He also threw for 359 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per pass.
Should the Steelers bring in an outside QB? Trubisky’s release gave the Steelers $2.9 million in excess cap space. However, Jerry Dulak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed on Twitter on February 12 that releasing the quarterback saved the team $11.5 million in real money. A cut the day after the Super Bowl seems harsh, but Dulak added that it “gives Trubisky an early start in free agency.”
Without Trubisky, the Steelers only have Pickett under center, who is under contract through the 2024 season.
The team has expressed interest in re-signing free agent Rudolph. However, NFL Network reported on Feb. 11 that Rudolph has “indicated” he’s interested in starting over with another team.
If the Steelers can’t sign Rudolph, they’ll have a whole new back room with Pickett. The team has been linked to about a dozen quarterbacks in both free agency and the draft. The Steelers could add depth behind center by signing a veteran and selecting a signal caller late in the draft.
