Steelers’ Ex-QB Mitch Trubisky Gives His Honest Thoughts On His Release From Pittsburgh 'I’m Thankful'

The Pittsburgh Steelers took a chance on a former second overall pick from the 2017 NFL draft, aiming to revitalize his career. Despite initially starting for the Steelers, he struggled to find his rhythm on the field. Throughout his tenure as the team's starter, in seven games, Trubisky secured only two victories against five losses. He managed to complete 64.1% of his 287 passes, accumulating 1884 yards, with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

His stint in Pittsburgh proved to be an unsuccessful endeavor for the organization. On February 12th, the Steelers made early offseason moves by releasing Trubisky along with Chukwuma Okorafor and Pressley Harvin III.

On Wednesday afternoon, Trubisky inked a two-year, $5.25 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. He is set to return to the Bills to serve as the backup to star quarterback Josh Allen. Trubisky engaged with members of the Bills media on Thursday, expressing his enthusiasm about rejoining the team and reflecting on his departure from the Steelers.

"It was very chill, to be honest with you. It wasn't like my other free agencies. I was thankful that the Steelers released me earlier than free agency actually started, so my agent was able to start talking to some teams. And so I took a very relaxed approach."

Trubisky expressed deep gratitude for the Steelers’ organization's handling of his early departure, citing it as a stress-free process for him. He appreciated the professionalism with which they managed the situation, considering it a healthy breakup.

During the combine, Steelers General Manager Omar Khan engaged with members of the media to address the early release of four players: Mason Cole, Trubisky, Okorafor and Harvin. 

The decision to part ways with these individuals prompted curiosity and speculation within the Steelers’ community, prompting Khan to provide insights into the team's rationale behind these personnel moves. 

"I would say that with Pressley and Mitch and Mason and Chuks, once we made the decision that they weren't going to be part of the 2024 team, it just felt like the right thing to do was to give those guys the opportunity to hit the free agency market sooner than later."

As is customary in Pittsburgh, the Steelers approach the challenging task of releasing players with the utmost respect. Trubisky found the Steelers' handling of his departure to be particularly commendable, making the process significantly smoother. Now, he returns to the team that handed the Steelers a postseason exit.

"It was a good, mutual breakup, I guess you would call it," Trubisky said. "I mean, there were rumblings that they were going to do it. And so, my mindset was if it's going to happen, it'd probably be more beneficial to do it sooner rather than later to help me get a head start on free agency. I'm thankful for that and I'm thankful for my time there."

Steelers Tried Everything With Mitch Trubisky But The Experiment Failed

Trubisky's upcoming chapter promises a lighter load of pressure. He'll step into a role as backup for a consistently solid quarterback situation. Freed from the scrutiny of the Steelers' media, he finds himself in a healthier environment. While he's demonstrated he's not a starting quarterback in the NFL, the Bills still recognize his value in a backup capacity, a sentiment the Steelers no longer shared.

While his tenure with the Steelers may not have been stellar on the field, he did uphold the team's reputation off the field, earning the well wishes of Steelers fans as he embarks on his next journey. Additionally, they'll likely breathe a sigh of relief knowing he won't be starting games for the Steelers any longer.

The Steelers' next hurdle lies in securing a quarterback. While the organization has confidence in Kenny Pickett, rumors abound that they will actively pursue former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. While Trubisky can enjoy a stress-free 2024 offseason, the Steelers' journey is just beginning.