The Pittsburgh Steelers have been hit hard with the injury bug in 2023. Several key players have missed games with ailments and during a Week 13 contest against the Arizona Cardinals, starting quarterback Kenny Pickett aggravated an already-injured ankle. He had "tightrope surgery" and the team is reportedly hopeful that he will return at some point during the regular season. His backup, veteran Mitch Trubisky, will step in and the team's playoff hopes now lie in the hands of the former Chicago Bears first-round draft pick. There is a lot to unpack regarding the Steelers' quarterback situation, but it could get even more interesting in the coming weeks.
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Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky (#10) stretches on the field at St. Vincent College while the team warms up for a 2022 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Since Pickett's exit in the Week 13 loss to the Cardinals, one glaring potential issue isn't being discussed enough. Pickett has had some fourth quarter magic early in his career, but hasn't exactly checked all of the boxes that a future franchise quarterback would have by now. The Steelers were spoiled for 18 years with Ben Roethlisberger and the organization may quickly have to acknowledge not every first-round draft pick at quarterback is going to turn into a star.
The injury to Pickett couldn't have come at a worse time and that's not because the Steelers are in the middle of the AFC playoff picture. It's because the true evaluation time for the signal-caller started once Matt Canada was finally fired. That lasted all about six quarters and Trubisky, over the next few weeks, could possibly show the franchise that Pickett is not the answer for the organization at the most important position in football.
There is no time to waste for NFL franchises when it comes to making a decision about who is leading the offense on the field. The 2023 unit under Pickett is averaging an abysmal 16 points per game. Additionally, a total of only 26 have been scored in the two weeks that Canada wasn't involved. The Steelers could very well be looking for a new quarterback in 2024, and Trubisky might be the reason why.
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Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) winds up to make a throw during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
If one puts themself in General Manager Omar Khan's shoes, he wasn't officially the one to draft Pickett. Kevin Colbert had his final contract run through the 2022 NFL Draft and was still in charge. While Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin were certainly involved in the decision-making process, it might be a little easier for Khan to explore external options in 2024.
This will become an easier decision for the front office if Trubisky plays well throughout Pickett's absence. There is plenty of tape out there to know exactly what Trubisky and third-string quarterback, Mason Rudolph, are as professional signal-callers. The jury is still out on Pickett, but his time is running out and Trubisky leading the team to several wins and the playoffs might be the writing on the wall.
Pittsburgh clearly has an offensive issue and Canada was at the front of it when he was in charge. That doesn't mean there isn't still a lot to work on. The coaching staff couldn't change the entire playbook in November, but if Trubisky finds a way to succeed and put up better numbers than Pickett has, the Steelers are going to have to make the decision to rethink their opinion on Pickett and his future within the franchise.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterbacks, Mitchell Trubisky (#10) and Kenny Pickett (#8) warm up on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Brass Needs To Seriously Evaluate Quarterback Position
Regardless of what happens for Pittsburgh while Pickett recovers from his surgery, there's a legitimate possibility that the future quarterback for the organization is not on the roster in 2023. Teams need a formidable offensive leader to compete for championships in today's era of football. Trubisky could perform well enough to convince the Steelers that Pickett isn't the answer and someone else needs to be brought in to catapult the offense.
This presents an issue that Tomlin despises; a significant media scrum in 2024 revolving the Steelers quarterback situation. It also could lead to an always-proud organization admitting it was a mistake to draft a signal-caller who isn't what they thought he was in the first round. Time will tell, but strong performances from Trubisky could potentially shorten Pickett's leash in the Steel City.
Do you think Trubisky performing well will end Pickett's starting role in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!
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