

The Facts: When the Steelers’ 2023 season begins, don’t expect the top two spots on the quarterback depth chart to be any different than they were when the 2022 season ended. Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Indianapolis, GM Omar Khan enthusiastically endorsed keeping Trubisky around to serve as the backup to Kenny Pickett, who is entering his second NFL season this fall. “Mitch has been awesome since the day he got here,” Khan told reporters on the opening day of the NFL combine. “How he’s worked with Kenny has been great, and I want Mitch around.”
Diehards Line:
Signed to a two-year deal last March, Trubisky is due an $8 million salary with a $10.625 million salary-cap hit in 2023. If the Steelers cut or traded Trubisky, they would save the $8 million both in regards to cash and cap space. But Khan said there is value in having a 29-year-old, seven-year NFL veteran in the position room as Pickett enters his first training camp and season opener as the unquestioned starter. Trubisky, a former No. 2 overall pick, is 31-24 as a starter and generally is regarded as a premium NFL backup. The caveat is Trubisky could still consider himself worthy of starting and not want to stay in Pittsburgh with no chance of that happening (barring injury). Khan also did not close the door on re-signing Mason Rudolph, the six-year veteran who served as the Steelers’ No. 3 quarterback this past season.