As expected, the Steelers have dipped into the free agent pool to address the quarterback position. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the team has reached an agreement with Mitch Trubisky on a two-year deal (Twitter link). 
Trubisky’s contract comes in at $14.25MM base value, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets, but substantial incentive money is available. Unspecified incentives can take the deal up to $27MM. This could be contingent on Trubisky sticking as Pittsburgh’s starter.
The former second overall pick spent last season with the Bills, serving as Josh Allen‘s backup. That came after a four-year stint in Chicago, which included a Pro Bowl campaign in 2018. His 11-3 record that season didn’t end up as the taking-off point for a successful career as the Bears’ franchise QB, however. Struggling to find success despite the team’s strong defense and running game, he found himself holding a clipboard in Buffalo while Chicago invested a first round pick in Justin Fields last April.
Given the relationship that developed between the 27-year-old and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, many expected the Giants to be his destination with the latter being hired as the new head coach. “He’s a great leader of men. He’s just real and authentic with all the guys, and I think that is why so many people respected him in our building. So I’m excited to see what he’s going to do”, Trubisky recently said of Daboll.
With that said, the Steelers were also reported to be targeting the former Tar Heel last month. Trubisky was one of three signal-callers Pittsburgh was eyeing, the others being Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston. Despite the hole at the position, it became known rather quickly that the Steelers were not going to acquire Deshaun Watson, who remains by far the biggest name remaining in the QB market.
Trubisky will now compete with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins for the starting role in Pittsburgh. Head coach Mike Tomlin has stressed the need for mobility in the team’s next QB, which could give him a leg up on the competition. This news also further points to Daniel Jones being the undisputed No. 1 in New York, something which, of course, wouldn’t have been as assured had Trubisky signed with the Giants as many had figured he would.
Meanwhile, another team can be scratched off the list of those interested in trading for Jimmy Garoppolo. The Colts have been named as a potential landing spot for the veteran, along with, presumably, each team which loses out on acquiring Watson.
I like it. Fill the holes around him with the draft and cap space, and if he doesn’t work out this year, address QB in the draft next year with what should be a superior QB class.
Also wouldn’t rule out them taking Pickett or Willis if they’re still around at 20
I bet he gets that NVP money.
BAHA, welp it’s gonna be a ravens/bengals AFC north this year XD
RAVENS ON TOP-UH
I CALLED IT
Probably did last year too
No, the Ravens are definitely bottoms.
Exactly what they needed to do. No point in giving up draft capital when there are huge holes in the offensive line, CB, and ILB position. Was dreading them trading up to draft someone
Wow, Pitt just burning cash here. What’s the point..he isn’t taking that team anywhere.
Well, Trubisky has been carried to the playoffs by strong defenses twice before.
Teams really still think Trubisky and Jimmy G are still starting quarterbacks lmao. They aren’t good.
What is a “starting QB”? There are 32 teams and not enough elite QBs to go around. Jimmy G and Trubisky will never be elite but they have both taken teams to the playoffs and in Jimmy G’s case within one completed pass of winning a Super Bowl. So how are they not starting QBs?
A starting QB is at least good also defense took Jimmy G to the super bowl he isn’t good also not to mention we all know Trubiksy made the playoff because of a really good defense. They aren’t starting QBS.
Is a starting quarterback “good” though? Someone has to be a bottom-5 starting quarterback, and most of those types aren’t considered “good.” Mitch is certainly more of a starter than Mason Rudolph, and there’s no point in wasting money on a starting quarterback if the Steelers plan to rebuild. Since it’s a weak draft class, they’ll see if Trubisky can improve this season. If not, look to the 2023 draft instead
If a starting QB must be at least “good”, please name 32 QBs who are in your opinion good enough to be starters in the NFL.
Also, yes sometimes a team is lead by their defense. So much so that a number of teams over the years have won Super Bowls with average/mediocre starting QBs.
Watch him become the QB we thought he could be after getting drafted 2nd overall. F*cking Pace and Nagy, messed him up.
Interesting choice. My money had been on Jameis Winston.
I agree. Maybe it was his acl injury that had the Steelers wary. Or maybe he just wants to go back to the saints.
Steelers have the pieces on offense with Johnson, Claypool, Freiermuth, Harris. They definitely need to improve the oline no matter who is under center though.
Moore Jr graded out at a 57.8
Dotson graded out at a 64.5
Bj Finney graded out at a 71.4
Turner graded out at a 69.4
Okorafor graded out at a 63.6
So they could stand to upgrade both tackles, especially LT, and possibly LG.
My guess is that they either go tackle or center in the first round, and shift Kendrick Greene to guard. Whichever they don’t draft in the first round, hopefully they’ll address in FA
Center was atrocious last year. Green was pushed straight back after every snap.
Definitely need a center.
Let’s hope Linderbaum is still available at pick 20.
Trubisky might be a decent QB, but as Sharpe and Skip said on Undisputed, you have to be an upper-tier elite QB to be in the Super Bowl conversation these days the way the game is shaped. The NFL is currently a QB-based league.
That means your QB has to throw 100 TDs every three years on average, period. If he can’t do that, it’s just going to lead to a lot more discussion in January.
Good luck!
Not quite, Jimmy G made multiple deep postseason runs plus a super-bowl appearance. Its tougher but a good defense and a solid running game will suffice. All we need is a solid running game and we can scheme around the play action like Cleveland.
True, but it’s still in the slimmer minority of team set-ups. You have above-average QB teams get into playoffs, but in 4Q playoff bowl games if you don’t have that gritty elite QB, it’s going to be tough to take it home.
Again, best of luck. Pittsburgh is always good at finding a way to be relevant in the standings, you never know.
Also, I think Trubisky’s a bit better than he’s been made out to be in the press the past few years.
I mean Nick Foles just won a Super Bowl 4-5 years ago.
Yeah, and Carson Wentz was in his prime tossing 33 TD’s that year before he was injured. Not taking away Foles’ contribution or their playmaking. Brock Osweiler played 4 games for the 2015 Broncos, and that was also essential in their success that year. So in a vacuum you can make that argument, but signing either Foles or Osweiler on a yearly contract and expect success?
…Different ballgame. 🙂
Not that my opinion means anything, but I like this signing. Good environment for Trubisky. Hope he figures it out.
Your opinion matters as much as everyone else’s opinion on here
Wholesome
Great signing! Now use the cap space and picks and build the trenches!
Maybe coaching will make a difference but having seen him with the Bears, it’s hard to see this as a move to puts them in the contention conversation. In fact, this team as is sure resembles those Bears teams. Yeah, beats the alternative. Now release Rudolph and Dobbs and draft a QB, like Pickett. I wasn’t a Pitt fan but the kid has the intangibles.
Rudolph is not going anywhere, Dobbs will be a FA on Tuesday. Haskins is the only other QB on the team. If a QB drops to 20 and they take him, Haskins will be the one to go.
Actually think coaches see more upside in Haskins at this point, given their recent designation. You may be right of course. I liked Rudolph at OSU and thought his “big arm” would be a benefit here. But he’s never shown an ability to read defenses, has tunnel vision and seems to have slow feet in the pocket. I’d actually like to see the kid succeed but how much of a look can they give him?
Would love to see Pickett call to them but that said, rather doubt they’d use a 1st round pick on a QB now. Too many other holes
At least the OL always knew where Ben was standing…this guy will be all over the place thinking he can move a pocket and out run people. NOPE
This seems to be a signing with a goal of mediocrity, which is not a desirable outcome.
Let’s say the team rolls with Rudolph and/of Haskins. Odds are they are terrible and the Steelers pick early in a deep QB class next year. On the off chance one is actually good, problem solved.
Both of those outcomes look better than going 8-9 and drafting in the middle of the pack again.
The key here is that it’s a two year deal.
Why not give a chance to a former top pick, who showed something in the league and was a CHICAGO BEAR another chance.
The Chicago Bears turn everything they touch into stone.
Give him a shot.
PERFECT name for the yinzer accent.
You’re exactly right, really. Why not give the guy a chance? Makes sense
Honestly, I love this move. Relatively low risk, possible high reward. And this doesn’t preclude them from drafting a QB, but it does mean they shouldn’t feel obligated to reach for one.
Where have I seen this before? Oh yeah, Bradshaw retired and Stoudt and Malone weren’t cutting it, so they went out and got David Woodley. History repeats itself.
Last 3 seasons as a Starter:
Trubisky:(w/ CHI) 25-13 Team Record, 57 TD/30 INT, 6.7 Y/A, Age 24-26 seasons! 64.1 career Comp %
Roethlisberger: 21-12 Team Record, 55 TD/21 INT, 6.2 Y/A, Age 37-39 seasons! 64.4 career Comp %
Interesting contrast I thought and Trubisky’s #’s not nearly as bad as I thought they’d be, Hope he can have a Tannehill-type emergence as a Steeler! 😉
If I started 50 games, I wouldn’t want to be a backup, Nagy had nothing to do with it; a player plays, they give you a playbook, practice and need for you to go out and perform, has it ever occurred that Trubisky wasn’t it, guy only play about 13/14 games in college. We(steelers) needed a QB that can stretch it down field, but oh well,I just hope as a fan that we don’t regret this, they should have at least seen what Haskins can/cannot do.
They could have went after Huntley, might have cost a little, but he is more mobile and accurate.