The Mitchell Trubisky signing wasn’t my favorite offseason move, but it could have big implications on the Steelers 2022 NFL Draft plans.
Since 2004 the Steelers have lived with their security blanket Big Ben Roethlisberger. Well, that security blanket disappeared shortly upon the season’s end. Big Ben said his goodbyes to the owners, coaches, and fans and rode off into the sunset.
In some ways, as a fan, you tend to think that despite his retirement, somehow he comes back, or the Steelers will find some miraculous replacement either via trade, free agency, or in the draft. Somehow you know the Steelers will find this perfect replacement who will carry on the Steelers dynasty as their team leader.
Then mid-morning on March 14th, either via the internet, on ESPN, or a tweet over your cell phone, the news broke the Steelers have just signed Mitch Trubisky to a two-year deal. It might be fair to say that not everyone was shocked or dazed by the announcement.
However, upon hearing the news, many diehard fans probably had a glazed look come over their face and thought, what? The Steelers new quarterback in the 2022 season with Mitch Trubisky? Then you look around, thinking someone is secretly taping you, and this is some practical joke.
Well, it’s no joke. The Steelers move on from the Big Ben era, a first-ballot NFL Hall of Famer and perhaps one of the ten greatest quarterbacks of all time with Mitch Trubisky. Once the reality finally kicked in, that 2nd thought forms in your head; what happens in the draft now?
Steelers 2022 Draft
Until today, everyone speculated what the Steelers would do in the draft. Would they opt for the quarterback or fill another need. That is no easier to answer now than yesterday, if not more complicated. The Steelers will approach the draft, from the perspective, well in a worst-case scenario; we have Trubisky and Rudolph or Haskins; thus, it’s not critical we draft a quarterback. If someone is there, perhaps, we take them; if not, we wait until 2023 and take the best player available.
That is one way for people to perceive it. The reality is more on the lines; this prevents them from trading up and wasting draft capital on a quarterback that might not be an immediate starter. Yeah, like they kept Ben Roethlisberger on the bench because he wasn’t ready, and then Tommy Maddox got injured.
Yes, it makes total sense that many people do not like the 2021 quarterback draft class. All the analysts say the 2021 quarterbacks were better than those in 2022. Perhaps, Lawrence did okay, but if he is to succeed, he certainly needs more offensive line help and more talent surrounding him. Mac Jones probably performed the best, which honestly, a lot of analysts suspected that Trey Lance well, the jury is still out, Justin Fields tried making lemonade after falling into a pit of lemons.
So who is the likely draft pick in the first round for Steelers?
Face it; Fields is just playing for a lousy team. Then there is Zach Wilson. Can anyone say, Mark Sanchez? Face it; the 2021 quarterbacks did not produce a Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, John Elway, or Peyton Manning while achieving that immediate stardom.
Here is a bold prediction in 2023, the narrative will be the Steelers could have traded up to get Pickett, Corral, or Willis, yet chose to take the corner, linebacker, or a lineman who ends up on the IR for the next two seasons.
Well, at this stage, it will probably be this simple. If Willis is on the board, the Steelers may take him. If Willis is gone, the Steelers will make an alternate selection. However, If Howell or Ridder is available as the 52nd pick, they may roll the dice there, although either selection will sit on the bench for a season anyway. At least until Trubisky is injured and Rudolph lays a goose egg or two.
So if the Steelers pass on a quarterback because the one they want is not there, the obvious selection would be Charles Cross, Trevor Penning, Tyler Linderbaum, or Kenyon Green. Keep in mind the Steelers did re-sign Chukwuma Okorafor so a lineman is not a sure bet either.
However, knowing they have Trubisky, it’s just as likely the Steelers will go another route, such as Trent McDuffie, Andrew Booth Jr., or Kaiir Elam. Knowing Trubisky is no Tom Brady, the thought would be to give him weapons, so look at the best wide receiver available Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, or Drake London as potential possibilities.
We still may be in the dark as to how the draft day plays out, but make no doubt many fans are still in shock over the news that Trubisky is the new signal-caller, thus leading to another poignant question. Several weeks ago, Keven Colbert hinted that at least four quarterbacks would compete. The Steelers now have three, and already Trubisky is being hailed as the starter.
If that’s the case, perhaps there would never be much of a quarterback competition. However, if they are still planning on having a 4th quarterback on the roster by training camp, perhaps there is still another quarterback surprise yet to occur, but don’t bet the farm on it.