Regardless of the outcome to the 2022 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have several interesting decisions to make. There are holes on the offensive and defensive lines and the front office needs to build around a young offense that has flashed potential since the Week 9 bye. One of the more interesting situations will be what the team decides to do with backup quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky. After starting the first four games of the season, he was benched and rookie, Kenny Pickett is clearly going to be the guy going forward. Trubisky has a $10.625 million cap hit that may be too big of a number to keep him around as a second string.
Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) prepares to take a snap against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium during a 2022 regular season game. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
With Mason Rudolph set to test free agency, releasing Trubisky (which is much more likely than a trade happening given his cap number), would leave Pickett as the only signal-caller on the roster. There would be a search in the off-season for two, and maybe even three, quarterbacks. Pittsburgh loves familiarity and a former third string for the Steelers got his first NFL start on Thursday Night Football for the Tennessee Titans.
Joshua Dobbs was only able to muster up 13 points and turned the ball over twice. No one is labeling him anyone's quarterback of the future, but bringing him back to wear the black and gold would be an inexpensive option. Dobbs is known for his high IQ; he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and had a perfect 4.0 GPA. That's the kind of guy you want around a young guy like Pickett.
He was 20/39 on Thursday and threw for 232 yards. He likely earned himself another start in the final game of the season that will decide if Tennessee wins the AFC South when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the spotlight and with Derrick Henry back in the lineup.
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 29: Joshua Dobbs #11 of the Tennessee Titans motions towards the sideline against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Cooper Neill/ Getty Images
After the loss, Dobbs spoke to the media and touched on the challenges he has faced in his career. He talked about how he never really has had a chance to display his talents after throwing just 17 professional passes prior to Thursday since being drafted by the Steelers in 2017:
"Just given my circumstances and the lack of opportunity I've had, it's definitely been tough. Especially when you pour everything into it and you don't get the opportunity. It's tough."
Retired quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger was always a fan of Dobbs and the feeling was mutual. The duo would consistently be seen together on the sidelines and late last year, Dobbs talked on Good Morning Football about how awesome it was being in the same locker room as the future Hall of Famer:
"As many of you guys did, I grew up watching Big Ben. To see how he approaches the game, to see his knowledge of the game, is incredible."
CANTON, OHIO - AUGUST 5: Joshua Dobbs #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball in the second half during the 2021 NFL preseason Hall of Fame Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 5, 2021 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
While he hasn't had much in-game experience, Dobbs could come in at an inexpensive cost and doesn't even have to be the #2 signal-caller on the depth chart. He would be an incredible asset to have alongside Pickett and he even displayed some strengths against a very good Dallas Cowboys' defense on Thursday. Pair that with his familiarity with the Steelers organization and a reunion with the franchise that drafted him could lead to it being a perfect fit for both parties.
Do you think bringing Dobbs back to Pittsburgh would be a good idea? Let us know in the comments below!
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