A surprise to no one, Mike Tomlin officially named Mitch Trubisky the starter this week as Kenny Pickett is sidelined with a high-ankle sprain.
As to why it’s Trubisky, the answer is simple. He’s second on the QB depth chart and there are only so many reps to go around.
“You can’t give work to three guys,” Tomlin told Steelers media in his Monday press conference. “Most of Mason Rudolph’s work comes on scout team offense, so Mitch has been positioned to get the work.”
Tomlin said the Steelers will explore options over the next 24 hours for emergency/third quarterback.
Trubisky passed for 117 yards and a touchdown in relief of Pickett versus the Arizona Cardinals and will be tasked to do the same when the Steelers take on the New England Patriots and their top-10 defense.
In 10 games (five starts) in the Black and Gold, Trubisky is 2-3, passing for 1,525 yards and six touchdowns to seven interceptions. He’s come in three times for Pickett in 2023, but Thursday will be his first start of the season.
Unfortunately, it’s a short week, so although Trubisky will get first-team reps, it’ll be accelerated with only one day of practice.
The Patriots are eighth in total defense, allowing 221 passing yards and 21 per game.
