Changes have been expected at the quarterback position in Pittsburgh, and an unsurprising move is taking place. Mitch Trubisky is set to part ways with the team, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The team has since confirmed the move.
Trubisky began his Pittsburgh tenure as a bridge starter, but he was overtaken on the depth chart midway through Kenny Pickett‘s rookie season. Mason Rudolph then emerged as the team’s preferred option late in the 2023 campaign and through the wild-card round. As a result, signs pointed to Trubisky being let go ahead of free agency in 2024.
[RELATED: Steelers Cut Chukwuma Okorafor, Pressley Harvin III]
The former No. 2 pick was on the books for the next two seasons, having inked an extension last year. In spite of that, the Steelers will elect to cut bait well ahead of the new league year. Releasing Trubisky before June 1 would yield a dead cap charge of $4.6MM this year, and cap savings of just under $3MM. Designating him a post-June 1 release, however, would result in $5.25MM in savings compared to a $2.3MM dead cap charge. Teams are permitted to use the post-June 1 designation early in the offseason, but they do not realize the financial savings until after that date.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor confirms this move is a mutual one, and it will allow Trubisky to seek out a new opportunity in a backup role. The 29-year-old made seven starts and 12 appearances with the Steelers, throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (eight). Those figures helped inform today’s move, but it will no doubt hinder his market in free agency. Trubisky last served as a full-time starter during his time with the Bears, which ended in 2020.
With Trubisky no longer in the picture and Rudolph a pending free agent, Pickett is the only QB currently on the Steelers’ roster. The team remains confident in the latter’s potential, and he will enter the offseason atop the depth chart. Competition will be brought in, however, and that could include another new contract with Rudolph or an outside addition. Ryan Tannehill – who had a succesful run in Tennessee under new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith – is believed to be on Pittsburgh’s radar.
Trubisky was due $11.25MM over the next two seasons, and he will aim to find a deal allowing him to match or better that total with a new team. He is younger than many of the other options in this year’s free agent QB class, but his underwhelming showing in Pittsburgh should limit his market to a low-cost, short-term agreement. It will be interesting to see where he winds up while the Steelers contemplate their next move under center.
Should have signed with NYG
The Bears should get this guy. He was the #2 pick in the draft! That means automatic star!
Pittsburgh should for sure trade for Fields, Fields replacing Trubisky again would be magical, plus Arthur Smith with Fields would be magical
Nah, he will sign with the NYJ as they need another backup to AR.
Good. Now do the same with Pickett.
That’s Trubisky n Howell both Tar heel QBs that have struggled @nxt level. Wonder if that hurts Mayes stock coming outa NC. All kinda interchangeable w/nothing standing out.
Ohio state had never sent a successful qb to the nfl prior to Cj stroud. Lot of talented guys lots of busts.
What a completely random comment to make. Trubisky went to North Carolina, not Ohio State. Why you chose to criticize Ohio State in this string is a head-scratcher.
Look up the definition of analogy. Ohio state didn’t have successful nfl QBs until Stroud. Thus the lack of NC success doesn’t mean Maye won’t be. It’s not a criticism.
More to the point philsphan
Haskins and Fields failing to live up to 1st round pedigree didn’t hurt Strouds draft value going #2 at all just like Trubinsky and Howell won’t hurt Maye’s. Teams will come to their own evaluation of his talents regardless of what Howell and Trubinsky have done in the NFL.
Ain’teasy-You forgot to put “The” in front of Ohio State. They will never forget that slight from you.
“ Trubisky n Howell both Tar heel QBs that have struggled @nxt level. Wonder if that hurts Mayes stock coming outa NC“
Really? It’s confusing to you that I brought up Ohio State when discussing programs who have seen their QBs not transition well and wondering if it’ll hurt the draft stock of the next QB to make the jump?
Get off my lawn more like old man screaming at sky. Dude seriously?
@getoffmylawn
Reading comprehension clearly isn’t your strength. It was very apparent why he mentioned Ohio State.
Umm you forgot Justin Fields. He will end up Pittsburgh.
When has Fields succeeded?
To be fair when has any Bears QB succeeded?
Now I can’t get “The Super Bowl Shuffle” outta my head.
Thanks
I’m not even sure Mitch could be a backup. Not effective at all.
I felt safer with him as Josh Allen’s backup than Kyle Allen. He looked better in the Bills’ system than in Pittsburgh, so I’d bet someone will offer a league-minimum contract.
Trubisky took 33 total snaps in the Bills offense and 8 pass attempts how could one possibly have an evaluation on his time there?
Which is way more than Kyle Allen, who they only trust to hand off the ball.
Actually, it’s not. Allen took 38 snaps. Both took 8% of snap share on the year. Trubisky did throw more passes, but Allen played more snaps.
I think I’d take Russ over Tannehill. He’d be cheaper too, no?
You are correct 2012, Russ would be a better option. The problem is that the Steelers are too afraid to admit that Pickett was an awful reach so they are gift wrapping him the starting QB job. Tannehill is no threat to take Picketts job, Russ is better than Pickett, so is Rudolph which is why he is gone.
Honestly, being a horrible backup QB is the easiest way to steal millions of dollars
Next stop? Most likely Colts, Chiefs or Commanders. Washington needs a vet backup with Brissett hitting free agency. Colts almighty lose Minshew to FA too. And Chiefs have Nagy who Mitch has history with. I could also see a Vet backup role with saints if Jameis leaves
Mitch, was definitely a hindrance for the Steeler organization. He never really helped the club not one bit in the short time that he was here so good luck in all your future endeavors. I hope you get a better result than you got in Pittsburgh.
It didn’t help Trubisky that Pittsburgh’s line didn’t play well these past two seasons, or that Pat Freiermuth was hurt a lot this year. His receivers throwing hissyfits didn’t help the cause, either. Obviously, Mason Rudolph was able to have success this season, and no, Trubisky is not a great quarterback, but there are a number of worse options out there.
Perhaps Trubisky can repay Nickelodeon for that award he received back in 2020 by doing some broadcast work for them.
As a long time Steelers fan, they need to address QB. Neither Kenny nor Mason are the answer there!
Spring just got stronger! Welcome to the UFL!
I keep hearing that Mason Rudolph wants to “move on” “to greener pastures” than a team with a very iffy young QB who already started him down the stretch and in the playoffs over said iffy young QB.
Where the F is that?
What team is Mason Rudolph (who didn’t get a sniff last summer) going to get a better shot with than PGH?
I don’t know, maybe based on history he might not think Tomlin will give him a fair competition. I know that sounds completely crazy that the Steelers would start someone based on draft status, but it could happen. Someone like Atlanta, NE,or LV might give him a chance while they look for their QB of the future.
I guess ATL and Vegas are in pretty bad shape, but still better options likely available.
If the Pats want to pass on a QB with a #3 overall pick and start Mason Rudolph…go for it. Please.
The key word in your comment is “greener”. Opportunity will be the same or worse with pretty much any team in the league but someone’s gonna pay Mason more for that role than Pittsburgh will.
The best case scenario for the Steelers in their and the league’s current state would be to sign Tannenhill or Mariota or anyone who previously played for Smith to be a 3rd QB, then trading for Fields and letting him and Pickett have a genuine competition for the job.
All we heard at the beginning of the season was how bad Canada was.
Kenny comes out first game with the same horrible playbook but with a coordinator who actually had experience scripting a game & calling plays in Sullivan.
Kenny showed glimpses in the Cincy game and he has had success in the 4th quarter. And he doesn’t turn the ball over.
Sign Tannehill to put pressure on him & if he doesn’t rise to the challenge Tannehill becomes the place holder & Smith can get a young QB in the draft to develop.
All this Fields talk & Wilson talk us as Steeler fans should know is never gonna happen.
At this point it is what it is if they don’t believe in Kenny than they need to draft a guy this year. There are guys available at 20 but if you like someone better than move up. But with all the other holes on this team you gotta realize if they do draft a guy than they are punting on the season. And that is yet another wasted year for this defense.
If you want to make a run this year they have to sign a couple guys in FA & hit on at least 2 starters & 2 rotational pieces in the draft.