UNC Football: Mitch Trubisky Listed as Steelers QB1

The former UNC football quarterback is getting ready for a new opportunity in Pittsburgh this season.

Mitch Trubisky burst onto the scene in his lone year as the starter for the UNC football program and turned himself into the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

He was selected by the Chicago Bears ahead of Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes and was viewed as the Bears’ franchise quarterback for years to come.  Unfortunately, the former Tar Heel had a chaotic career in Chicago.

After becoming the starter midway through his first year in the league, Trubisky led the Bears to the playoffs in two of the next three years in Chicago.  However, the Bears lost in the first game both times, largely due to a lack of explosiveness on offense.

Just like another Tar Heel, Trubisky caught a ton of the blame for a team that had major coaching issues.  There was a clear disconnect between Mitch and Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy who was fired at the end of last season.

Trubisky left Chicago after the 2020 season and signed with the Bills last year, where he only attempted eight passes all season while backing up pro bowl quarterback Josh Allen.

After a frustrating start to his pro career, it looks like Trubisky is finally going to get the fresh start he has needed for quite some time.  The Ohio native signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, and it is looking like he will have another opportunity in a starting role.

The Steelers have released a current depth chart and Trubisky is listed as the first-string signal caller.  Following him are former Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett, who was a Heisman finalist for the Pitt Panthers last season.

If Trubisky is indeed the week one starter, he will have some big shoes to fill, as Ben Roethlisberger retired this offseason after spending nearly two decades as the Pittsburgh starting quarterback.

Luckily for Mitch, the Steelers have more talented offensive weapons than what he used to have in Chicago.  Wide Receivers Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson are very talented, as is George Pickens who was just drafted out of Georgia.  Former Alabama running back Najee Harris was very impressive last year, and Pat Freiermuth is one of the best young tight ends in the game.

The Steelers will be challenged in an AFC North division that includes last year’s AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals and Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens. With that being said, if the Steelers coaching staff gives Trubisky the confidence and trust that he had during his college days, they could find themselves back in the postseason this Winter.

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