PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin had a simple explanation of why it will be Mitch Trubisky starting on Thursday night against New England.
"Because he gets the most work," Tomlin said.
"You can't give work to three guys to be quite honest with you. Most of Mason Rudolph's work comes on scout team offense. Mitch has been positioned to get the work."
It will be the seventh time Trubisky will have filled in for Pickett. Seven times and Pickett hasn't finished a second season in the league. No wonder they signed Trubisky to a two-year contract. Tomlin said they aren't worried about chronic injuries with their starter, but seven times is a lot even in today's NFL.
This will only be Trubisky's second start in filling in for Pickett, the other one he won against a struggling Carolina team going 17-22 for 179 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
"It's going to be the same offense," said tight end Pat Freiermuth. "Mitch takes reps in practice. We have full confidence in Mitch to execute the game plan."
"My confidence is up here (hand held high) with Mitch," said receiver Diontae Johnson. "That's with any quarterback that we got. We throw the ball with each other at practice. He may not be the starter, but I still take reps with him. I treat him as if he's the starter as well."
"He has an outgoing and welcoming personality," Tomlin said. "He's a good communicator. He's been a franchise quarterback before. He's comfortable in those shoes. He doesn't behave like a backup that's being elevated. I think those are things that make him attractive."
This will be Trubisky's sixth start with the Steelers, overall in 10 games he's won two games with a 64% completion, 1,525 yards, six touchdowns, seven interceptions and a quarterback rating of 79 while sacked 13 times. He rushed for 61 yards and two touchdowns with a fumble.
Players say they are comfortable in his ability. They have seen way too much of him. As examples-back-up Cliff Stoudt started one game in his first six years with the Steelers. Charlie Batch stated four games in his first six years with the Steelers, one of those when the team rested their starters.
Trubisky gets yet another shot to show why he can be a quarterback in the NFL. It likely won't be last.
"Mitch is very capable," said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "He's going to come in and do the job for us. We are all confident in that, we believe in him. Having him come in, we know he's been in this position before and we are all very confident he will come in and lead us. We will all rally around him."
Once again.
