The Other Side of the QB Coin
Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) is persued by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Woods (10) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
There are few occasions more momentous in a young boy from Pittsburgh’s life than going to Wing Night at Quaker Steak & Lube. It’s a cornerstone of yinzer youth.
I have many memories of Quaker Steak, but one sticks out. I was about 6 years old, and my parents and our good family friends took eight kids to sit on the patio and pick from the seemingly endless sauce options to douse our wings in. As we were enjoying our food, my best friend’s dad asked me if I wanted a slice of a pickle. I said yes and popped the green circle into my mouth. This is how I learned that jalapenos existed.
Yes, the heat alone would grab the attention of a child, and cause that child to cry and drink milk and cry some more. But what’s more is that the expectation was to have a salty, sour pickle, making the experience that much more intense.
Watching the Steelers get their doors blown off by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday was the proverbial jalapeno in place of a pickle. At first glance, the Steelers looked like they would command the line on both sides of the ball. The first drive was clean, the defense stopped the run, and it appeared as if it would be a relaxing afternoon.
Then things went sideways. The offense sputtered out due to injuries, poor execution on third down, and more injuries. An embarrassing performance by the Black and Gold sullied the Sunday of Steelers fans all over the world.
Besides the result, the other major storyline leading into Monday morning was the injury to Kenny Pickett, who is expected to miss 2-8 weeks.
It’s obviously a loss… but also… is it?
Kenny has played just okay this season. He has managed games well, won more than he has lost, and has some of the worst stats in the NFL. He doesn’t turn the ball over, but he doesn’t throw touchdown passes either. He represents the conservative approach the Steelers have adopted on offense. He keeps it close, and he wins a lot of one-score games. He has also become far more predictable, and the opponents have the tape.
With any signs of pressure, Kenny Pickett hits his signature role out to the left. He usually buys himself some time, but he also has to take his eyes off of his receivers, thus the play is lost. I’m certain many of you can picture exactly what I’m talking about. Yes, he has had some great deep throws in recent weeks, but almost all of them have come from spotless pockets. Something quarterbacks cannot count on, especially with an injured guard.
Mitch Trubisky, on the other hand, doesn’t do any of that. He is prone to launching the ball down the field, triple coverage be damned. He doesn’t manage games well, he isn’t conservative, and he doesn’t win a lot of games.
These two are very different players, yet many fans this season have called for Mitch to replace Pickett after poor performances. And those fans have been granted their wish.
I’ll admit, my interest is piqued. Particularly, because of one major contrast between Pickett and Trubisky: Pocket presence. Knock Mitch all you want, lord knows my list of flaws is not as extensive as it could be, but in the second half of Sunday’s game, the offense felt different. I’m not saying it was a good feeling. I’m just saying it felt different.
Where Kenny often scrambles away from pass rushers, Mitch was stepping up in the pocket and taking shots. It was almost a shock to the system at first. He was finding players as their route developed, even if it wasn’t a clean pocket. He kept plays alive with his eyes down the field and allowed his receivers to make plays.
Maybe the team is built in a way that only survives with a quarterback that doesn’t make mistakes? Perhaps the balance of Mike Tomlin’s group is so fragile that a single fumble or interception can completely derail any chance for competition? But maybe, taking some chances and giving the playmakers on this team an opportunity to make a difference is just the jolt this group needs.
Is Mitch the better quarterback? I don’t think so. I’m not sure if anyone actually knows. What I do know is that the Steeler’s offensive identity is at stake with Mitch at the helm, and I’m not 100% sure that’s a bad thing.
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