GREAT NEWS: Steelers welcome former starting quarterback back.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to meet their former quarterback.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers embark on a new chapter with quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the Buffalo Bills will remind them of their previous deficiencies at the position during a preseason game.
Mitch Trubisky, who has spent the last two seasons with the Steelers, told reporters that despite facing challenges during that time, he has no ill will against the franchise.
“It was a good two years,” Trubisky explained. “I think I’ve learned a lot. It was difficult for me personally, but I have no negative sentiments about it,” Trubisky added.
Trubisky signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh in March 2022 for a base salary of $14.25 million, which could have increased to $27 million with incentives. The anticipation at the time was that he would take over as the team’s starting quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger retired, but he would not maintain that position for long.
The Steelers selected Kenny Pickett as the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, which was pretty much the end of Trubisky’s hopes. Nonetheless, he was named captain and won the position after training camp that summer.
Pickett later replaced Trubisky in the second half of Pittsburgh’s Week Four game against the New York Jets that season and never looked back, demoting him to backup duties. In May 2023, the Steelers signed Trubisky to a new three-year contract worth $19.4 million, although it did little to change his situation.
Trubisky appeared in only five games last season, two of which were starts in place of an injured Pickett, who had already established himself as the team’s starter. The Steelers also chose Mason Rudolph over Trubisky late in the season, notably in the Wild Card round against Buffalo, as the veteran fell entirely out of favor.
Despite this, Trubisky continues to communicate with Pickett and Rudolph via a group chat, demonstrating that the three retain a positive relationship.
“I talk to them every week,” Trubisky added. “They’re doing well.” We remain in touch. “We have a great relationship.”
Trubisky concluded his Steelers career with 1,884 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and ten interceptions, as the team went 3-9 in games he played in.
He also confessed that his time wasn’t as easy as he had planned, but he viewed it as a pleasant experience overall.
“You’re going to have ups and downs,” Trubisky admitted. “Maybe that wasn’t the best fit. I probably did not do everything I could to succeed (in Pittsburgh). However, there are numerous components and elements involved. I always remember it as a great experience, and the adventure continues.
Trubisky returned to the Bills this offseason on a two-year contract after joining the team for the 2021 season. Trubisky, who was selected with the second overall choice in the 2017 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears and twice helped the team reach the playoffs, will once again back up Josh Allen as he goes on to the next stage of his career.
Trubisky should see a significant amount of playing time at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday once Allen and the rest of Buffalo’s starters leave. Despite his tumultuous past with the Steelers, Trubisky isn’t worried about playing his old employer.
“It won’t be weird,” Trubisky added. “Once the ball is snapped, It’s just football.”
