National media throws unnecessary shade at key Steelers player
CBS Sports threw some massively unnecessary shade at the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Jeff Kerr, an NFL writer for CBS Sports, named the most "overvalued player" on each AFC roster. And his choice for the Steelers was…perplexing. He believes that quarterback Mitch Trubisky, a free agent addition earlier this offseason, is Pittsburgh's most overvalued player. […]
CBS Sports threw some massively unnecessary shade at the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.
Jeff Kerr, an NFL writer for CBS Sports, named the most "overvalued player" on each AFC roster. And his choice for the Steelers was…perplexing.
He believes that quarterback Mitch Trubisky, a free agent addition earlier this offseason, is Pittsburgh's most overvalued player.
Of the 47 quarterbacks with more than 500 pass attempts over the four years Trubisky started (2017-2020), he ranked 31st in passer rating (87.2), 26th in completion percentage (64%), 29th in touchdown percentage (4.1), and 37th in yards per attempt (6.73). Not exactly numbers beaming with confidence, but Trubisky appeared resurrected as a backup quarterback in Buffalo, learning new aspects of the game under Brian Daboll and the Bills' offensive coaching staff.
If anything, Trubisky can't be any worse than what Roethlisberger was last season. In fact, the Steelers were wise to sign him to a short contract and draft the best available quarterback in the draft in Kenny Pickett — as they were fortunate he fell to No. 20.
I just can't follow Kerr's logic here. If anything, Trubisky is undervalued.
The Steelers aren't hoping that Trubisky is their long-term answer at quarterback. That would obviously be great if it ends up being the case, but the hope for Pittsburgh is that Kenny Pickett (the Steelers' first-round draft pick in April) will be the long-term answer.
Trubisky is simply a bridge quarterback to get the Steelers to the Pickett era.
And he's a cheap option. Trubisky's deal is only for $14.2 million over two years — incredibly economical for a starting quarterback.
Trubisky is 29-21 as an NFL starter. He went 0-2 with the Chicago Bears as a starter in the playoffs, but neither of those losses were on him. Trubisky threw for over 300 yards in one playoff loss and didn't turn the ball over in either loss. He also completed over 60 percent of his passes in those two losses.
The Steelers made a great move by signing Trubisky. Not only was it a great value move, but it allows Pittsburgh to take their time with Pickett and not rush him into action prematurely.
Featured image via Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
