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Mark Madden: Steelers should start Mitch Trubisky — if they believe they are contenders

Mark Madden
| Monday, October 17, 2022 11:41 a.m.
Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky throws against the Buccaneers in the third quarter Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium.

After Mitch Trubisky entered Sunday’s home win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter because of Kenny Pickett’s concussion, Trubisky provided the best quarterback play the Pittsburgh Steelers have had all year. Better than Pickett. Better than Trubisky’s prior outings.

That’s beyond argument. Numbers don’t lie. Trubisky was 9 of 12 for 144 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. His passer rating was 142.4.

Pickett, meantime, was 11 of 18 for 67 yards, one TD and zero picks. His passer rating was 87.0. Pickett sometimes has looked the part, but his stats are meh.

So there’s a quarterback controversy — on one condition.

If the Steelers believe they’re in contention for the AFC North title and a playoff berth, Trubisky should get the next start.

If the Steelers see this season as pure rebuilding, Pickett should remain the starter. All emphasis should be on Pickett’s development.

The Steelers should decide the latter.

But it’s their style to think the former. It’s also tough to not do given the standings, which show them one game out of first in the AFC North. That’s no lie, either.

Trubisky looked reborn Sunday. Pickett wasn’t available to look over his shoulder. Trubisky let loose. It’s the first time a Steelers QB truly played well all season.

Pickett had a good first (scripted) series, then retreated to mediocrity under cover of offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s uber-conservative play-calling, which didn’t poke its head from under the shell until Trubisky entered the fray.

It’s radical to replace a coordinator in midseason, but the Steelers should be radical. Ditch Canada and promote quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan. Use the same playbook. Just get rid of the chicken heart.

Pickett has been mid. He’s 55 of 83 for 514 yards, one touchdown, four interceptions and a passer rating of 67.0. That’s not good.

If Pickett was a third-round pick out of Utah, the citizens would complain because the Steelers don’t have better.

But Pickett is a first-round pick from Pitt, so everything he does is overrated.

The Steelers converted 5 of 7 third downs with Trubisky playing Sunday. Trubisky made the sticks on third-and-15 twice, third-and-13, third-and-11 and third-and-6. The Steelers held the ball for the last 4 minutes, 38 seconds, running 10 plays, gaining 48 yards, posting three first downs and kneeling out the clock.

If Pickett did that, the unwashed would have a parade through Oakland.

Related:

• Feats of Strength: Trio of much maligned Steelers comes up huge as Steelers stun Buccaneers • Madden Monday: 'If both quarterbacks are available, I would go with Mitch Trubisky' • First Call: Bucs linebacker offers opinion on Steelers quarterbacks; Gerrit Cole, Clay Holmes keep Yankees alive

Chances are this discussion is moot. Pickett’s concussion likely will keep him out of Sunday’s game at Miami.

What if Trubisky plays well in that game? What if he wins?

There’s also a controversy at defensive back.

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Sutton, Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon, all regulars, missed Sunday. But the Steelers’ discount-store defensive backfield did well, reducing Tom Brady to mediocrity. Safety Terrell Edmunds provided glue. Cornerback Josh Jackson covered Tampa Bay’s top receiver, Mike Evans, for much of the game. Evans had just four catches for 42 yards.

I wasn’t even sure who Jackson was when he entered the prior game at Buffalo. I saw No. 16 and thought Charlie Batch was playing corner.

Fitzpatrick should go right back in when healthy. Maybe Sutton, Wallace and Witherspoon shouldn’t.

The Steelers somehow won without T.J. Watt. They were 0-4 since he went out injured late in the Week 1 win at Cincinnati. When is Watt coming back, anyway?

The Steelers’ characteristic hubris was on display after Sunday’s win.

“The whole world was counting us out,” linebacker Myles Jack said.

No, Myles, the whole world was preparing to watch Buffalo vs. Kansas City.

Sunday’s heroes were Trubisky, Chase Claypool and Devin Bush. Whatever fraction of the world was watching certainly got surprised by that.


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