The Pittsburgh Steelers released three players on Monday after Super Bowl III, including quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
NFL Network reported that the two sides discussed the current situation in Pittsburgh and that the 29-year-old quarterback has opted to get a fresh start in free agency.
Offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor, who was with the team for six seasons, was also released, along with punter Presley Harvin. The move saved Pittsburgh nearly $13 million in salary cap space heading into the offseason.
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Pittsburgh Steelers No. 10 Mitch Trubisky watches from the field during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Acrizier Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo provided by (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
Most of that came from Trubisky, who was slated to account for more than $7 million against the Steelers’ cap for the 2024 season. The Steelers burned through $4.6 million in dead cap money while saving $3 million.
Why does Trubisky’s release matter? On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be anything to raise eyebrows about, since the first-round pick by the Chicago Bears was a backup to Kenny Pickett.
But with quarterback Mason Rudolph, who started in the Steelers’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills last season, set to become a free agent, Pickett will need a new backup.
Ryan Tannehill is set to become a free agent after coming off the bench for rookie Will Levis with the Tennessee Titans this year and is a name linked to the Steelers.
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Jacoby Brissett, Tyrod Taylor, Sam Darnold and more quarterbacks will be available, which could give Pickett a competitive edge heading into next season.
Head coach Mike Tomlin once again led the group to the playoffs despite brutal offensive production that (to the delight of many Steelers fans) ultimately led to the firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada midway through the season. led to.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky (age 10) during a regular season NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrizier Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. is about to make a pass. (Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Pittsburgh finished 25th in total yards per game (304.3) and 28th in points per game (17.9), but managed to squeeze into the AFC’s last wild-card team with a 10-7 record.
The Steelers’ defense was a formidable group that kept the team alive in the game, and although it wasn’t pretty, the offense managed to score enough points to finish the job. The defense could also help in that regard.
Trubisky originally began the 2022 season as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, with rookie Pickett behind him. Tomlin, who started the first five games and went 2-3, benched Trubisky in favor of Pickett.
Trubisky started just two games last season, but both came late in the season when Pickett was injured. He went 0-2 in those games before Rudolph took over as manager.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) attempts a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Acresure Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
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Trubisky is currently seen as a likely backup elsewhere in the league, but the Steelers will be wise in their selection of their next quarterback.
