Mitchell Trubisky addition offers Steelers quarterback flexibility, invaluable insurance coverage coverage – Pittsburgh Steelers Weblog

PITTSBURGH — Lower than an hour into the NFL’s authorized tampering interval on Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to phrases with a quarterback.

Bringing in former Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on a two-year take care of undisclosed financial phrases isn’t a splashy signing by most requirements — but it surely’s vital for the Steelers.

The group is usually quiet by the primary wave of free company, preferring to prioritize its personal gamers and ready for the mud to settle earlier than making a sequence of comparatively under-the-radar strikes. The Steelers additionally aren’t recognized for pursuing outdoors quarterbacks as potential starters. Since 2004, the 12 months Ben Roethlisberger was drafted, there have been 271 begins by homegrown signal-callers in comparison with 18 by gamers who began their NFL careers outdoors Pittsburgh.

However with Roethlisberger’s retirement, a comparatively weak quarterback draft class and the free-agent and commerce market drying up, the Steelers needed to transfer quick.

In buying Trubisky, a former No. 2 total decide, the Steelers stayed true to most of their core tenets. They didn’t have to surrender draft capital to signal him, and his contract ought to be comparatively cheap, giving them the cap area to go after different wants at offensive line, inside linebacker and cornerback.

“I’m past excited and blessed for the chance to be part of the Pittsburgh Steelers group,” Trubisky texted to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. ”I’ve large respect for the Rooney household and Coach [Mike] Tomlin. They’ve constructed probably the greatest rosters in soccer, and I can’t wait to contribute and assist this crew proceed their success.”

Is Trubisky the following nice Steelers quarterback? In all probability not. However the subsequent Roethlisberger most likely wasn’t strolling by the door in 2022.

The asking worth for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is reportedly a number of first-round draft picks together with a large cap hit, and whereas Jimmy Garoppolo probably received’t price fairly that haul, he figures to command extra draft capital than the Steelers would sometimes really feel comfy parting with given the prolonged record of roster holes to fill.

Trubisky is the Steelers’ human security web. He alleviates the strain to draft a first-round quarterback from a below-average class, and he offers the Steelers significant competitors on the place. Final month, common supervisor Kevin Colbert stated Mason Rudolph can be the crew’s starter if the season began the following day.

That’s not precisely the case now. The pair will probably enter coaching camp in a contest for the beginning job. And, as a result of Colbert stated he expects to have 4 quarterbacks on the roster for coaching camp, former first-rounder Dwayne Haskins additionally figures to be on the roster, together with one different participant. That fourth possibility could possibly be a second- or third-round decide, or a comparatively minor free-agency signing, corresponding to bringing again Josh Dobbs.

“Mason is 5-4-1 as an NFL starter, albeit in a backup form of function, however we’re excited to see what’s subsequent for Mason,” Colbert stated in February. “Dwayne Haskins got here in and did some good issues all through the season as a scout crew quarterback. He performed some in a preseason, and we’re excited to see what Dwayne can present both from competitors or perhaps he evolves as a starter. None of us know at this level.

“It’s going to be an ideal coaching camp for these two, and for no matter participant we’re ready so as to add in that blend.”

Whereas Rudolph has labored intently with offensive coordinator Matt Canada for 2 seasons, Trubisky’s ability set ought to mesh effectively with Canada’s scheme.

The 28-year-old Trubisky excelled throughout his stint in Chicago when the offense used pre-snap movement. His QBR was 22.5 factors greater with movement than with out it, in line with ESPN Stats & Info analysis. His completion proportion additionally jumped from 65% to 69% p.c, and he threw 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions in comparison with 35 touchdowns and 30 interceptions with out movement.

Although the Steelers used pre-snap movement 36% of the time final season, Canada closely used it throughout his profession as a school offensive coordinator and figures to characteristic it extra closely subsequent season.

Trubisky typically excelled at brief, fast passes at or behind the road of scrimmage, one other staple in Canada’s offense.

Trubisky additionally possesses the form of mobility the Steelers needed to prioritize this offseason. From 2017 to ’20, Trubisky’s 833 dashing yards on scrambles had been the fifth most amongst all quarterbacks.

However for as a lot optimistic potential as Trubisky brings to Pittsburgh, there are drawbacks.

Trubisky had eight pink zone interceptions in Chicago, essentially the most within the NFL from 2017 to ’20, and his 50.eight QBR over that stretch was 29th within the league. He additionally had the second-highest off-target proportion at 19.4% over that span.

However Trubisky has expertise working with Buffalo’s workers and studying behind Josh Allen for a season. One other change of surroundings and work with Canada and revered quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan may assist his growth much more.

Signing Trubisky doesn’t make the Steelers a Tremendous Bowl contender, but it surely doesn’t take them out of the race, both. If the group completely executes free company and the draft to enrich gamers like Najee Harris, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers can have a profitable season with out a famous person quarterback. It can take including to the offensive line, inside linebackers, defensive position and secondary, however a powerful run recreation and a championship-level protection can bolster a mean passing assault.

Trubiksy isn’t a house run signing by the Steelers, however his addition is one which will get them on base in a aggressive AFC North whereas sustaining as a lot flexibility as attainable to deal with different positions of want whereas they proceed the seek for Roethlisberger’s inheritor obvious.