In the previous season, the Pittsburgh Steelers concluded with a record of 7-10, which secured them a spot in the postseason. However, their journey came to an end as they suffered a 31-17 defeat against Buffalo on the road during the divisional round. As the new season approaches, the Steelers face crucial decisions regarding their quarterback situation. According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the team has chosen to release veteran QB Mitchell Trubisky.
Trubisky had been a part of the Steelers for two seasons, mainly serving as a backup quarterback. Just last season, the team extended Trubisky’s contract for two years, set to begin in 2024. However, as a free agent this offseason, Trubisky will have the opportunity to continue his career as a backup elsewhere.
With the departure of Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett remains as the sole active quarterback on the Steelers’ roster for the 2024 season. This will likely change before the next season begins, making it a significant focus for the team during the offseason. Trubisky’s departure will result in a cap hit of $4.6 million, but the Steelers will save $3 million by parting ways with the former first-round pick. Trubisky’s contract would have accounted for $7 million of their cap space in 2024, making it a favorable outcome for the Steelers financially.
During his time with the Steelers, Trubisky played in 12 games and started in seven. He had five starts in 2022 and two in 2023. When rookie QB Kenny Pickett was injured in 2022, Trubisky stepped in and performed adequately for the team, finishing the season with a 2-3 record in his starts. However, Trubisky struggled when given the opportunity to start this season, leading to the Steelers eventually turning to third-string QB Mason Rudolph. Rudolph even started their playoff game against the Bills, highlighting the Steelers’ urgency to find their next franchise quarterback.
As the offseason approaches, the Steelers will prioritize addressing their quarterback needs. Will they choose to draft a new quarterback or pursue a veteran in free agency? Speculation has arisen regarding Ryan Tannehill potentially becoming a target for the Steelers this offseason. Additionally, the team has brought in Arthur Smith, the former head coach of the Falcons, to serve as their offensive coordinator. Depending on the actions taken by the Steelers, Kenny Pickett may find himself competing for the starting quarterback position during the offseason.
According to the Source sportslens.com