There has been a lot of talk around Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback, Mitch Trubisky up to this point in the offseason. Kenny Pickett is undoubtedly the starting signal-caller going forward and the organization may have invested a little too much almost a year ago in his now-backup as far as the depth chart goes. In an attempt to save cap space, the franchise could release Trubisky and look to sign another veteran who has no problem with a backup role, but is there any kind of trade market for the former 2nd overall pick?
Could The Steelers Attempt To Trade Mitch Trubisky?
No one has really talked about the team dealing away with Trubisky, because there are a ton of quarterbacks on the free agency market. That fact paired with his cap hit of over $10 million in 2023 is certain to turn teams away from even inquiring about the veteran. But Pittsburgh lacks draft capital without fifth and sixth round picks.
It might be a legitimate conversation to have if someone reaches out to inquire about Trubisky. Saving $8 million in cap space while gaining draft capital would be the perfect situation if he is not going to be on the team following the new league year startup in March. The real question surrounding it is related to his value.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had one of his chats for fans on Wednesday and touched on a number of topics including the idea that it may be an option to trade Trubisky.
Dulac revealed what he believes the asking price would be for a veteran signal-caller who could bring value to a different organization's locker room. He also detailed that there is only one way they consider putting him on the trade block:
"Probably no more than a third round, likely a fourth. But the only way they are trading him is if they want to reduce his $8M salary and he refuses and asks to be traded or released."
It makes sense when you think about it, but is also crazy to think the Steelers were allegedly asking for a similar return for third-string, Mason Rudolph midway through the 2022 season.
If the Steelers are genuinely interested in getting rid of Trubisky due to cap purposes, it makes no sense not to shop him before finalizing a release. The lack of fifth and sixth round selections in April's 2023 NFL Draft may affect the organization's strategy heading into it. There's no guarantee that Trubisky would be in high demand, but Dulac's belief of a fourth rounder in return for the quarterback would be quite significant.
Another fan was seemingly joking when they asked if Trubisky would end up in the XFL (Xtreme Football League), but Dulac immediately came to his defense and said the best play the Steelers received all year at the position was from the highly-criticized free agent signing in March of 2022.
"If you think Trubisky is an XFL quarterback, you weren't watching the past three games he played in 2022. Best QB play they received all season," Dulac wrote.
The quarterback was a main reason the franchise lost a pivotal divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens in early December, throwing three interceptions, but Dulac certainly believes he has some value if another team is interested in his services.
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