PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – So how important really is a back-up quarterback? A look at how much use a back-up has played a role in recent successful Steelers seasons.
As we look at the Steelers signing Mitch Trubisky for three years, know 68 different quarterbacks started games in the NFL last season. 68. Not signing Trubisky could leave you with options like-Anthony Brown, Kyle Allen, Sam Ehlinger, Davis Webb, Jeff Driskel, John Wolford, David Blough, Trevor Siemian—oh, and there are more.
In a recent story, NFL.com ranked Trubisky the 33rd best QB last year. That would make him the best backup in the league.
But how much did they really impact playoff teams. Understandably, playoff teams typically use their starter almost exclusively, allowing them to have success. Looking at all Steelers playoff teams since 2008, back-ups have played varying roles.
2010-On a team that went to the Super Bowl, four regular season starts by back-up quarterbacks. Dennis Dixon started the first two games, winning both including completing 69% of his passes in an opening win over Atlanta. He started the win over Tennessee, that Charlie Batch came in and finished.
Batch would start the next two, beating Tampa Bay with three touchdown passes in Week 3 and lost by a field goal to Baltimore in Week 4.
2011-Batch started a game against St.
Louis the Steelers won 27-0, Ben Roethlisberger would return to lead a win in the season finale.
2014-Ben Roethlisberger played every game
2015-Michael Vick started three games, a pair of wins against San Diego and Arizona throwing for 334 yards, rushing for 104 yards. Landry Jones would throw two touchdowns in relief of Vick after he left the Cardinals game. Jones would start a loss at Kansas City the following week and then against Cleveland, Jones would go 3-4 before leaving with injury and replaced by Roethlisberger.
2016-Jones started a 27-16 loss against the Patriots throwing for 281 yards with a touchdown and a pick. He would start the last game of the regular season throwing three touchdowns in a game that didn't impact the standings.
2017-Jones would again start the season finale, beating Cleveland 28-24 completing 85% of his passes.
2020-Coming off a season where he started 8 games, Mason Rudolph subbed for a resting Roethlisberger throwing for 315 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-22 loss in Cleveland.
2021-Rudolph had a last-minute start due to Roethlisberger getting COVID. He would go 30-50 for 242 yards and a touchdown in a tie with Detroit.
Then there is the relationship between a quarterback and his backup, didn't seem to be a significant one between Ben and Rudolph. However, Roethlisberger benefitted from having Batch, Vick, Byron Leftwich with him during his career. Pickett now gets to work with Trubisky, even if he doesn't play a role on the field in 2023, communication at practice and in meetings will make him valuable for the second-year QB. Plus, they have Rudolph as another voice.
