Mitch Trubisky has to win the job this summer, but he'll almost certainly be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback in 2022.

The Steelers signed Trubisky with the expectation that he'll be the starting quarterback this season. But Pittsburgh isn't paying Trubisky like a starting quarterback.

In other words, he's not the long-term answer. There's a good chance the Steelers draft a quarterback at some point in the 2022 NFL Draft.

But while Trubisky isn't the future of the quarterback position in Pittsburgh, he's still (most likely) going to be the guy in 2022.

So what can we expect from the former North Carolina Tar Heel this season?

NFL.com projected 2022 season stats for each new starting quarterback and they think Trubisky will have an unspectacular season that could be viewed as "solid".

Here's the projection from NFL.com:

2022 projection: 67 completion percentage, 3,200 passing yards, 20 TDs, 10 INTs; 250 rushing yards, 3 TDs

In minimal action during his year in Buffalo with Brian Daboll, Trubisky played well while using his legs, putting pressure on the defense by making it honor him in the rushing attack. (This forced the opposition to play more single-high coverage, allowing wideouts to be in one-on-one situations.) The Steelers weren’t able to be all that creative or forward-thinking with Ben Roethlisberger under center, but they aren’t afraid to change schemes and involve the quarterback in the run game. Not to mention, Trubisky is surrounded by solid talent, with Najee Harris, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth making life easier for the sixth-year pro.

That projection is pretty much in line with what Trubisky did as a starter with the Chicago Bears.

I think it's a fair projection. However, if Trubisky starts all 17 games, I think he'll easily surpass NFL.com's projection.

Trubisky's best season came in 2018 when he passed 3,233 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 14 games.

The feeling is that Trubisky will be in a better situation in Pittsburgh (Matt Nagy was disastrous for Trubisky's career in Chicago), so he should out-perform his 2018 season.

If Trubisky starts all 17 games, I think we'll see a stat line closer to 4,000 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and around 10-14 interceptions.

That would be a pretty good stat line for a "bridge quarterback". You really couldn't ask for much more if you're a Steelers fan.

Featured image via Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports