Tag: mitchell trubisky

NFL insider: Bears can’t risk Caleb Williams going to Commanders and becoming a superstar

The Bears can’t afford Caleb Williams ending up in Washington and becoming a superstar and they know it.

Will the Chicago Bears’ past continue to haunt them ahead of the 2024 NFL draft?

Everyone remembers the 2017 NFL draft when the Bears moved up one spot — to No. 2 overall — to select UNC quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. That was the same year the Kansas City Chiefs moved up to No. 10 and selected Patrick Mahomes. The rest is history.

Trubisky showed some flashes early in his career, but it didn’t take long to realize he was not a franchise-level passer.

It’s not fair to pile on the Bears for selecting Trubisky over Mahomes. Sure, it’s laughable in retrospect, but the truth is that every other team passed on a chance to trade up for Mahomes. Even noted quarterback guru and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan passed up the opportunity to select Mahomes.

That brings us to the 2024 NFL draft. The Bears have the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year, thanks to a one-sided trade with the Carolina Panthers. Last year, the Bears moved down and acquired multiple picks, including No. 1 this year and star wide receiver D.J. Moore, and the Panthers chose Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud.

Meanwhile, the Bears were content to allow Justin Fields to continue to develop heading into his third NFL season.

Was it the right decision? We shall see. But the Bears have a chance for redemption if they have questions on Fields. And there are plenty of reasons to question if Fields has shown enough. Remember, as a fourth-year player, he is eligible for a contract extension, and he won’t come cheap. Has he shown enough to Chicago to consider giving him a megadeal? Unlikely, or the discussions would’ve already happened.

With the No. 1 pick this year, the Bears can take USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams is the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick, whether the Bears keep or trade the pick.

Williams isn’t a perfect prospect, but he has elite tools with a massive ceiling. The Washington Commanders, who have the No. 2 overall pick and will likely take a quarterback, reportedly love Williams — a Washington, D.C. native.

Would the Bears consider moving down one spot and passing on the chance to take Williams?

Longtime NFL writer Ben Volin doesn’t think so.

“It goes back to the 2017 draft when they picked Mitchell Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, and this is a franchise that can’t risk doing that again. They cannot risk Caleb Williams going to Washington and being a superstar,” Volin said Tuesday in an appearance on the “Sports Junkies” in Washington via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

Volin has some maturity concerns with Williams and says, ideally, he thinks the Bears would love to move down one spot.

“I think in a vacuum, they would love to swap with Washington, go back to No. 2 and take Jayden Daniels and not worry about all the headaches that Caleb Williams brings, but he’s so talented, and that franchise is so desperate for quarterbacks that they’re just gonna have to bite their lip and talk themselves into accepting everything that comes along with him.”

Unless the Commanders make a historic offer to move up only one spot, the Bears are taking Williams for all of the reasons Volin stated. Washington GM Adam Peters is unlikely to make that kind of offer as he looks to use the Commanders’ extra draft capital to restock the roster while using the No. 2 pick on either Daniels or Drake Maye.

Washington happens to be in a good position heading into the draft.

Why the Steelers would be perfect fit for Justin Fields

The Bears are most likely going to trade Justin Fields this offseason. Right now, the Steelers are emerging as a top landing spot.

The Chicago Bears are looking like an NFL organization that is going to select a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft. They have the No. 1 pick (via the Carolina Panthers), and a lot of people think they’re eyeing USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

If Chicago were to select Williams first overall, they would most likely move on from Justin Fields, their former first-round pick in 2021, who hasn’t blossomed into a star the way that we thought he would. Fields has shown flashes, but that isn’t going to win you a Super Bowl. You need a star at some point. Fields still may become a star but having the No. 1 pick — with a potential generational talent up for grabs — rushes that evaluation.

If the Bears are to move on from Fields, a quarterback-needy team that doesn’t have a top-10 pick is going to consider him. One team that makes perfect sense is the Pittsburgh Steelers, an organization that values winning and are not afraid to make a big move.

Fields may or may not turn into a star, but Pittsburgh may consider trying him out. They just released former Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph is set to be a free agent. That leaves only Kenny Pickett on the roster for next year.

To be honest, Pickett is in the same boat as Fields. He was a first-round pick and had a lot of expectations but hasn’t lived up to them yet. He has shown flashes but even Fields has been better up to this point. Pickett has done more winning, but he is in a better situation. If Fields went to Pittsburgh, he might find more success.

Seeing Fields go to the Steelers would be amazing. He’d have a chance to take his career to the next level while the Bears would be starting fresh. Head coach Mike Tomlin has made it known that he likes Fields, so it is a perfect fit for them in every way. With Tomlin at the helm, you might see Fields take steps that would be impossible for him to take in Chicago.

The Steelers are a smart team that knows how to move on before it becomes too late. Pickett is not the guy and they know it. If they feel that Fields can give them a better chance to win, they will do it.

Former Bills QB Mitch Trubisky released by Steelers

Former #Bills QB Mitch Trubisky released by #Steelers:

At a very interesting time, Mitch Trubisky is a free agent.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that the quarterback has been released. Originally signed by the Steelers in 2022, Trubisky appeared in 12 games with the team.

The 29-year-old previously spent the 2021 season backing up Josh Allen with the Bills. All along the dialogue from both Trubisky and the Bills was that it would be a one-and-done scenario where Trubisky would leave after a year if there was a chance for him to start somewhere.

Exactly that happened and it did not work out in Pittsburgh.

All things considered, Trubisky is now a name to watch when free agency opens in March.

Since his departure, Case Keenum and Kyle Allen were signed to backup Allen the last two seasons, respectively.

Kyle Allen is a free agent like Trubisky and there could be a realistic chance that Trubisky is brought back as QB2 again.

While Trubisky in Buffalo was considered just a one-year stopgap, general manager Brandon Beane and the Bills noted often how Trubisky was signed because he plays a similar style to Josh Allen. Trubisky still has that skill set.

Keep him on your list of names to watch when free agency opens.

[lawrence-related id=131859,131846,131844]

Could Giants target Mitchell Trubisky as Tyrod Taylor’s replacement?

If the New York Giants do not re-sign backup QB Tyrod Taylor, might they look to Mitchell Trubisky, who has familiarity with Brian Daboll?

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been very clear that he will address the quarterback position this offseason, whether that comes by way of free agency or the 2024 NFL draft.

Expectations remain that Daniel Jones will start under center once he’s healthy enough to do so, but questions about his backup remain.

Veteran Tyrod Taylor is an impending free agent and the only other quarterback under contract is Tommy DeVito.

“I think we’re going to have to do something (at) quarterback, whether it’s free agency or the draft,” Schoen said at his year-end press conference. “Tyrod’s contract is up, DeVito is obviously under contract and Daniel, we don’t know when he’s going to be ready.

“Just from an offseason program standpoint, that will be a position we’ll have to look at. Again, there are different avenues, free agency or the draft, but we’ll have to address it at some point.”

Schoen has left the door open for a Taylor return but should that not come to pass, an intriguing option just hit the open market.

On Monday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers and veteran quarterback Mitchell Trubisky had agreed to mutually part ways.

Schoen and Giants head coach Brian Daboll are no strangers to Trubisky, who spent a year with the Buffalo Bills in 2021.

Although that was the only season of his seven-year career that Trubisky didn’t start a game, he became familiar with Daboll, who was offensive coordinator at the time, and his system — much of which has carried over with the Giants.

Trubisky is likely to seek a starting job but could view the Giants as a backup destination given the injury issues that plague Jones and his familiarity with those in charge.

Before signing with the Steelers in 2022, Trubisky to the Giants was a hot topic and a union many believed would happen. Perhaps both sides will circle back given their respective needs.

[lawrence-related id=723988,723985,723983]

Former Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky released by Steelers

The Steelers are parting ways with former Bears first-round QB Mitchell Trubisky.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released former Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky after two seasons, which means he’ll be a free agent next month.

This is a smart decision for the Steelers, as they try to reconstruct their quarterback room. The future of starter Kenny Pickett is even in question despite him being the only quarterback set to be on their roster next year.

The Bears drafted Trubisky with the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. It was a tremendous mistake as he turned out to be one of the worst busts in franchise history. It makes it even worse that Patrick Mahomes was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs eight spots later.

Since Chicago cut ties with Trubisky and moved on to Justin Fields (which also won’t amount to a second contract), he has bounced around a little bit. Trubisky has since played for the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, mostly as a backup quarterback.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Trubisky. Will he be a backup quarterback again somewhere? There are certainly going to be opportunities that come calling for him. A winning franchise that can provide a player-friendly system for him would be ideal.

Meanwhile, it sounds like Pittsburgh could be interested in another Bears quarterback. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is a “big fan” of Fields, and they could make a move to acquire the former first-round QB if Chicago opts to stay put at No. 1 and draft a rookie quarterback.

Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Team connections

A few between the two teams:

The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers will play against each other and the highest of stakes will be attached to the game: Win or go home.

The Bills (11-6) and Steelers (10-7) will do battle during the upcoming NFL Wild-Card round. However, the game will have a little bit more meaning attached to it for a few players in particular.

That’s because multiple players or coaches for both sides are going to be playing against their former teams. That can create a little bit of extra motivation for them heading into Sunday… as expected.

With that, here’s a quick list of connections the two teams have with one another ahead of the upcoming matchup at Highmark Stadium:

Colts score 30 straight points, roll past slumping Steelers

The Colts scored 30 straight points and went on to romp over the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers went from having a double-digit lead in Week 15 to a three-game losing streak and vacant looks on their faces as time wound down on Saturday.

The Indianapolis Colts scored 30 straight points and throttled the Steelers, 30-13.

The Colts got a huge game on the ground, rushing for 170 yards. They did most of it with Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson, as Zack Moss went out injured and Jonathan Taylor didn’t dress.

Gardner Minshew was solid in directing Indy to the win.

Mitchell Trubisky was inept after the Steelers built a 13-0 lead on a rushing and passing TD by the QB.

He was so bad that Mike Tomlin turned to Mason Rudolph late in the fourth quarter.

Pittsburgh had 216 yards of offense and was lit up for 372 by Indianapolis, which improved to 8-6.

The Steelers were once 7-4 and are now 7-7. They have more questions than answers that Tomlin faces.

 

Colts’ keys to victory vs. Steelers in Week 15

Here’s how the Colts can come away with a win over the Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) are set for a crucial matchup in Week 15 that will play a heavy role in determining the playoff odds in the AFC.

Both teams are coming off brutal losses and will be looking to bounce back with backup quarterbacks under center. The Colts just snapped a four-game winning streak with their worst loss of the season while the Steelers have lost three of their last four.

Here’s how the Colts can come away with a home win against the Steelers on Saturday:

Colts will face Steelers’ Mitch Trubisky in Week 15

The Colts will face Mitch Trubisky in Week 15.

The Indianapolis Colts will be looking to shake off a brutal loss when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, and they now know which quarterback they will be facing.

As starter Kenny Pickett is rehabbing following ankle surgery, which forced him to miss the Week 14 game, the Steelers will once again turn to Mitch Trubisky as the starter under center against the Colts.

Though this will be a shorter week for the Colts, who will get one fewer day to prepare, the Steelers are coming off a loss on Thursday night football so they’ve had a few extra days of rest and preparation.

Both teams find themselves right in the mix of the AFC playoff hunt despite the losses in Week 14. Six teams are holding a 7-6 record going into Week 15.

Trubisky has only started one game for the Steelers this season, which came against the New England Patriots in Week 14. However, he has seen significant game action in three contests this season.

He filled in for Pickett when he initially injured his ankle in Week 13, playing essentially the second half of the game. He did the same in Week 8 when Pickett left the game due to a rib injury. Pickett was able to return in Week 9.

The Steelers have not won a game in which Trubisky has seen game action this season. In his lone start in Week 14, he completed 22-of-35 passes (62.9%) for 190 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 74.7 passer rating. He also ran the ball eight times for 30 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

The Colts are coming off their worst game of the season in the 34-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. They have a chance to right the ship on Saturday against Trubisky and the Steelers.

[lawrence-related id=92372,92374,92341]

The NFL’s Worst of the Week: Jamal Adams, Kadarius Toney, and the NFL doesn’t care about concussions

This week’s Worst of the Week in the NFL features Kadarius Toney, Jamal Adams, and a league that still doesn’t care about head trauma.

Football is a wonderful, thrilling, inspiring game that can lift us to new heights in our lives.

But football is also a weird, inexplicable, at times downright stupid game that may force you to perform Keith Moon-level furniture destruction in your own living room.

So, as much as we at Touchdown Wire endeavor to write about what makes the game great, there are also times when it’s important to point out the dumb plays, boneheaded decisions, and officiating errors that make football all too human.

Folks, it’s time for the Worst of the Week for Week 14 of the 2023 NFL season. And we’re not covering officiating errors as we generally do, because we have a more important issue to discuss — the NFL still doesn’t care one bit about head trauma.