Mitch Trubisky.
After more than a year of fervent speculation about Ben Roethlisberger's successor — Aaron Rodgers! Deshaun Watson! Derek Carr! Kenny Pickett! — the Steelers landed on Mitch Trubisky.
This can't be the plan, right?
The Steelers inked Trubisky to a two-year deal Monday, taking them out the running on Jimmy Garoppolo, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. That means the Steelers will likely enter training camp with Trubisky at the top of their depth chart, competing with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins.
I hope Mike Tomlin is ready for his first losing season.
Trubisky was a turnover machine in Chicago. The failed 2017 No. 2 overall pick threw 37 interceptions in 50 games, playing himself off of the team. Trubisky's value was so low, he took a one-year deal to back up Josh Allen in Buffalo.
He's spinning his experience in Buffalo, where he learned under now-Giants head coach Brian Daboll, as a turning point in his career. "Going to Buffalo really opened my eyes," Trubisky told ESPN in February. "[Being] in Buffalo and [having] a different way of doing things, you learn what's possible. It helped me get back to instinctual football and using my talents rather than overthinking."
The Steelers apparently believe Trubisky is a changed quarterback. Maybe they're excited about his athleticism, just dreaming of the creative schemes that Matt Canada could design for his new fleet-footed passer.
Too bad some of those plays will inevitably involve Trubisky throwing the ball.
That's not to say Trubisky's performance in Chicago was entirely unsalvageable. He posted a winning record (29-21) and made the Pro Bowl in 2018. Some of the criticism spewed towards him was also more about the Bears. They're the ones who drafted Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes and Watson.
Now the Steelers are the team that chose Trubisky over every other QB available. Fan Insider Jeff Hatthorn told the "PM Team" that Trubisky will be the Week 1 starter. It doesn't seem like there will be an open competition, from Rudolph or somebody outside of the organization. The Trubisky era is upon us, while Watson is still out there.
Former NFL QB Shaun King tweeted there was "extreme interest" from the Watson camp about joining the Steelers, but they opted for an option that didn't include surrendering assets.
In return, they have a mess at the most important position in sports. Hopefully all of those hoarded picks wind up being home runs.
The Steelers will probably need to use one of them on a QB pretty soon.
