The Pittsburgh Steelers inked a deal with Mitch Trubisky, the former second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, securing his services for a two-year contract worth $14.2 million in a significant move during the 2022 offseason. The signing was seen as an opportunity to breathe new life into Trubisky's NFL career, as he took up the mantle of the Steelers' starting quarterback. However, despite moments of promise, Trubisky's performance with the Steelers has fallen short of expectations.
Since joining the Steelers, Trubisky has started six games, managing to secure only two wins and four losses. During this period, he has attempted 264 passes, completing 168 of them for a completion rate of 63.6%.
Steelers Reporter Andrew Fillipponi Weighs In
One prominent critic of the Steelers' handling of the Trubisky situation is Andrew Fillipponi, an established radio host covering the Steelers on 93.7 The Fan. Fillipponi didn't hold back his frustration with the organization's commitment to Trubisky, taking to social media to express his concerns.
"The Steelers aren't getting criticized enough for Mitch Trubisky. They signed him to be a starting quarterback. Doubled down on him by giving him an extension to be the league's highest-paid backup. And are tripling down on him by sticking with him as the starting QB. Terrible."
Fillipponi's criticism stems from Trubisky's contract extension on May 18, 2023, which secured his services for an additional two years at a cost of $11.25 million. This extension positioned Trubisky as the highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL, a move that raised eyebrows, especially in light of widespread calls for Trubisky to be replaced by Mason Rudolph.
Comparing Trubisky To Rudolph
Following the injury to Kenny Pickett, Trubisky was called upon to take over the reins as the starting quarterback. To further underscore the skepticism surrounding Trubisky's role as the starting quarterback, comparisons to Rudolph emerged. Rudolph, who boasts a 5-4-1 record as a starting quarterback for the Steelers, has completed 61.5% of his passes. He has thrown for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 236 of his 384 pass attempts. Rudolph actually holds a slight statistical edge, raising questions about whether the acquisition of Trubisky significantly improved the team's current chances of winning games.
Rudolph hasn't thrown a pass for the Steelers since 2021, and this seems to be a key factor in the organization's decision to currently stick with Trubisky. The legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger chimed in on the discussion, suggesting that if the coaching staff believed Rudolph was the superior option, they would have given him the nod over Trubisky. This implies that Rudolph's extended tenure with the team hasn't translated into playing time for a specific reason.
Fillipponi's critique gains traction when examining the opportunity cost of the Steelers' commitment to Trubisky. The organization has afforded him numerous opportunities to prove himself, yet he has consistently fallen short of expectations.
One of Trubisky's recent disappointments came in a game against the New England Patriots, a team with a dismal record. The Steelers suffered an embarrassing loss on their home turf to a squad that had only secured two victories throughout the entire season before facing them.
In the realm of professional football, making tough decisions and recognizing when to cut losses is paramount. The Steelers' unwavering dedication to Trubisky, despite his struggles, has ignited a debate surrounding the organization's judgment and decision-making.
As the NFL season unfolds, the debate over whether Trubisky should continue as the Steelers' starting quarterback while Pickett remains sidelined will likely intensify. The organization faces mounting pressure to make a change, and Fillipponi's critique underscores the growing frustration among fans and observers.
As Steeler Nation debates whether the team should stick with Trubisky or turn to Rudolph, one thing is clear, the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh remains murky. The Steelers' choices at the position will continue to face scrutiny in the weeks to come.
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