Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky named 'overvalued player' for 2022 NFL season

At this point, it's not even a poorly kept secret that free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky is widely viewed as a heavy favorite to be named starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers this summer over career backup Mason Rudolph and first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett. Truth be told, Pickett will probably be third on the depth chart if Rudolph remains with Pittsburgh into early September. 

Trubisky's career path has been well-documented. He was taken second overall in the 2017 draft by the Chicago Bears over a signal-caller named Patrick Mahomes and ultimately flamed out in the Windy City before he spent last season as a backup behind Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills. Pittsburgh gave the 27-year-old a chance to resurrect his career following the retirement of future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger, but some clearly assume this experiment will end poorly for all involved.

Earlier this week, Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports named Trubisky an "overvalued player" heading into the 2022 season. 

"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)," Kerr noted. "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."

One thing going for Trubisky is that he can rely on running back and 2021 rookie Najee Harris early and often this fall. Harris ended his debut campaign fourth in the league with 1,200 rushing yards, and he also caught 74 passes for 467 yards with 10 total touchdowns (seven rushing, three receiving).