Tim Benz: Remember recent history when it comes to the Steelers signing Mitch Trubesky

Here’s a little historical reference before analyzing the Steelers’ decision to sign midfielder Mitch Trubesky.

On March 4, 2021, the Steelers reworked Ben Roethlisberger’s contract for one final season in the fall.

On March 18, Trubisky signed a contract to be the reserve quarterback for the Buffalo Bills after not getting any offers to be a starter after the release of the Chicago Bears.

Now, pretend in that moment, I’ve said, “Don’t fret, Pittsburgh! When Big Ben retires after this season, I think the Steelers will sign Mitch Trubesky away from Buffalo to replace Roethlisberger in 2022. Cheer up!”

I would have been denounced even for offering this opinion. Appropriately, may I add.

However, here we are after a year. Trubisky has only thrown eight assists since then, and the Steelers have done just that. They signed Trubisky to a two-year contract to become (probably) the starter of the next franchise.

I have sent several tweets disapproving of this move. I have been severely criticized for offering this view.

Gee, it’s funny how views change even though Trubisky’s performance never got a chance to do so.

I think that’s the difference between the Steelers theory and the Steelers reality. Once you go pen to paper and you get your stamp of approval, the roads are paved with fans of grainy black and gold wherever you roam.

Well, up to your first objection of course. Then forget it all.

Let’s be honest, the news of Trubesky’s signing was met with standing ovations in Pittsburgh on Monday for one reason. Most Steelers fans don’t believe that current funnyman Mason Rudolph can replace Roethlisberger, and Trubesky is no Rudolph.

Well, except for that in many respects, it actually is.

Trubisky’s career completion percentage is 64.1. Rudolph is 61.5.

Rudolph averages 6.2 yards per attempt. Trubisky averages 6.7.

In his final year as a rookie, Trubisky was 6-3 for the Bears. Rudolph was 5-3 with the Steelers in 2019.

So, I’ll agree with the fans that Trubisky is a little better. Plus, he’s more athletic, has more experience and has a pedigree for being a de facto first-round pick, not just the unidentified Steelers that gives Rudolph”On the first round score. ”

Fine. So, what does that translate to in terms of total win for 2022? What were you thinking with Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins running the ship in Pittsburgh this fall? Six or seven wins after working their way up to nine a season ago?

This could have been my expectation.

What will Trubisky get if he stays healthy all year long? Eight or nine wins and, in the best case scenario, another first-round loss in the playoffs?

If Rudolph or Haskins flip the Steelers to start 2022, the organization will have the worst quarterback in the division.

Would you put either of these in front of Joe Borough, Lamar Jackson, or Baker Mayfield? Jackson was the best player. Burrow may be one soon. And as much as Pittsburgh seems to think of Mayfield, I still wouldn’t put him behind these two Steelers options.

And I wouldn’t put him behind Trubisky. At least not the 2020 edition for every player when Trubisky was still starting in Chicago and Mayfield wasn’t trying to play through his bad knee and shoulder.

So, if the Steelers enter 2022 in the North Asian Football Championship, still play with the fourth-best player in the division and are unlikely to win double-digit games with any of these three quarterback options, what’s the point of signing him? Why not take any money spent on Trubisky and spend it elsewhere?

Like, anywhere.

Tom Pellisero from the NFL network He says the contract is a two-year deal worth $14.25 million, with incentives potentially up to $27 million. In fact, it can end up being a pretty good deal at first.

For the sake of argument, let’s make it easy and divide that number in half and say it’s $7 million a year. What can you get?

Well, what does it take to hold quarterback Akello Witherspoon? Cameron Sutton Makes $5.2 Million If You Want Companies. Trubisky’s number should cover that, leaving money that would have been spent on Witherspoon that could be used elsewhere.

As another reference point, Joe Schubert is set to bring in $8.75 million in cash in 2022 ($1.88 million dead cap fee). Maybe put the money toward a promotion at the inner-back. Currently, he only has five players on the Steelers roster The ceiling reached over 7 million dollars in 2022.

A popular rallying cry in Pittsburgh is that Trubisky is better than his Chicago resume indicates because recently fired Bears coach Matt Nagy has “ruined him” or “stunted his development.”

But the Steelers’ current offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, who Pittsburgh fans used to eviscerate after every game, would be the man to “fix” Trubisky? Is this the narrative we are spinning?

Most fans portray Canada as an unqualified, overly exposed college coach who can’t commit a crime with the Hall of Famer under the center. But because Trubisky can at least run a bit and escape a terrible offensive line obstruction, Canada’s true genius will shine through?

I got you.

Gorgeous. A little dusting of Steelers pixie would go a long way in March, right?

I have nothing against Trubisky. I just don’t like this move. Basically because I don’t see the need for it. It’s throwing numbers into a situation that only needs one healthy start and a capable backup.

My middle flow chart was swinging fences on Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Derek Carr. Based on how it went in each circumstance, I understand why it didn’t.

My next choice was to draft a quarterback in the first round if they saw one they really liked. They may not have found one.

Then, I don’t see the value in jamming a quarterback with a bridge midfielder like Trubisky. I still see that phrase used to describe it. QB Bridge. I thought that was what Rudolph was supposed to be when they gave him another year on his 2022 deal.

bridge to what? Another Roethlisberger? Or another Cliff Studt?

The only thing I know about bridges in Pittsburgh is that They are often closedcrowded Sometimes it catches fire And the sometimes collapse.

If Trubisky is the guy we’re talking about, I’m worried the measurement will seem too accurate.