The Pittsburgh Steelers have made the first major move in their attempts to find a new starter under center after the retirement of their longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. According to multiple reports, the Steelers have signed free-agent QB Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year deal on Monday.
Trubisky’s contract is reportedly worth $14.25 million, but the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft could earn up to $27 million based on incentives.
The Steelers have yet to make the signing official, although the player himself confirmed the deal in a chat with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“This was the best opportunity for me and my family … the best way to get back on the field and try to win games … You’ve got to go out and earn it,” said Trubisky, who will compete with 2018’s third-round QB Mason Rudolph for the starting job in Pittsburgh.
Mitchell Trubisky was supposed to be the Chicago Bears’ QB of the future and certainly played the part at one point with a Pro Bowl appearance in 2018. However, things went south after that for both the Bears and Trubinsky, prompting the franchise to let the North Carolina walk in free agency last offseason.
Trubisky opted not to pursue a starting job elsewhere and instead signed on to back Josh Allen in Buffalo. This turned out to be a good move as one year in Buffalo raised the 27-year-old’s stocks despite his limited time on the field. Several teams were reportedly interested in his services in recent weeks, including the Giants, but he ended up seeing the Steelers as his fastest track to a starting job.
Since entering the NFL, Trubisky has made 50 starts and is 29-21 as a starter in the league. His stats include 64.1 pass completion, 10,652 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, and 38 interceptions.
