These NFL veterans have had their moments, but here’s why these three Steelers players could lose their jobs to newcomers in 2022.
The 2022 NFL offseason is well underway. The bulk of free agents have already been signed and are waiting with bated breath to compete. Players from all 32 teams are fighting to make final roster cuts, and leapfrog other players on the depth chart. This is no different in Pittsburgh.
While a lot of positions are already set in stone well before camp, many players have to show they still have what it takes to play starter-level reps for a full 17-game season. There is still plenty of time for players to show off their skillset, with the first of the pre-season games still over two months away.
Final roster moves aren’t made until after the last pre-season game, but players can lose a battle well before then. Here are three players that could end up losing their starting jobs to new faces this offseason.
Steelers QB Mitchell Trubisky
At this point, everybody knows that Steeler legend Ben Roethlisberger has called it a career after 18 seasons in the black and yellow. Ever since Ben officially made his announcement, people have been asking, “Who will be taking over behind center?”.
That question seemed to have been answered when the team officially signed Trubisky to a multi-year deal back in mid-March. Mitch was the second overall pick back in the 2017 draft. He hasn’t really lived up to his draft selection, but Mitch has been a solid starter in the league.
In fifty career starts Trubisky has a record of 29-21. This is a solid record for any quarterback. Mitch Trubisky‘s playing experience combined with his mobility, made this pickup very interesting. At the time of the signing, Trubisky was immediately thought of as the starter for this coming 2022.
However, since Trubisky was signed, the Steelers have taken former University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, in the first round of this year’s draft. Coming into the draft, Pickett was widely regarded as the quarterback most ready to step in and start day one.
This draft choice immediately stuck an imaginary target onto Trubisky’s back. By the looks of it, Trubisky is still currently taking reps with the first team during OTAs. He is going to have to play the best football of his career because Trubisky could be on a thin leash.