The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a position where they’ll be turning to QB Mitch Trubisky for the sixth time ever.
Trubisky is likely going to get the starting nod, as starter Kenny Pickett deals with ankle surgery. Pickett underwent the surgery on Monday but is not anticipated to go on injured reserve, per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. But how much longer can the Steelers keep Trubisky, and what is his current contract?
Mitch Trubisky Contract/Salary Details
The former second overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft is currently in a two-year extension with the Steelers. He agreed to a three-year, $19.4 million deal back on May 18, 2023.
That deal is worth $11,250,000 from the franchise, per Spotrac. Included is a $6,920,000 signing bonus with Pittsburgh.
Still, there’s even more attached to his deal. Trubisky’s 2023 base salary sits at $1,080,000. He holds an average salary of $5,625,000. Trubisky, though, holds a cap hit of $6,011,666.
This isn’t the first Steelers contract Trubisky signed. He first joined the team in 2022 — that deal was originally for $14,285,500. But in May, the Steelers and the former North Carolina Tar Heel agreed to an extension. With the deal, he’s capable of earning as much as $33 million over the length of his contract.
In 2024, Trubisky’s base salary increases to $4,250,000. Then in 2025, it jumps to $5 million. He’s not scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent until 2026 when he turns 32.
Has Trubisky Become Rejuvenated in Pittsburgh?
Trubisky hasn’t lived up to his billing as a top-five draft pick. He flopped with the Chicago Bears and was taken ahead of a future two-time Super Bowl winner in Patrick Mahomes, who fell to 10th overall.
Still, Pittsburgh clearly sees potential and a need for him, considering he was signed to an extension.
MORE: Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart
As a Steeler, Trubisky already has five previous starts on his résumé, all of which were in the 2022 season. He ended up going 2-3 as a starter while filling for Pickett. He also completed 65% of his throws and ended with four touchdown passes and five interceptions.
He has seen some limited action in 2023. Here’s how he’s fared:
- Trubisky went 3-of-5 for 18 yards in the 20-6 loss to the Houston Texans on Oct. 1.
- Against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Trubisky completed 15 passes on 27 attempts for 138 yards but was intercepted twice and threw one touchdown in the 20-10 loss.
- He went in after Pickett left on Sunday vs. the Arizona Cardinals. Trubisky went 11-of-17 for 117 yards and tossed a fourth-quarter touchdown in the 24-10 loss at home.
Now, Trubisky is in line to deliver his sixth career start in a Steelers uniform and take on a team that’s now 2-10 overall, the New England Patriots. He’ll also need to find a way to keep the Steelers afloat in the AFC playoff race at 7-5 overall — the team shares an identical record with the rival Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans.
But the Steelers have faith in Trubisky to guide them in this situation. After all, it helps explain why they prevented him from testing the free agent waters by giving him a hefty extension.
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