2 weeks after benching, Mitch Trubisky makes clutch plays in relief in preserving Steelers’ win

When Mitch Trubisky last left Acrisure Stadium, he was, understandably, frustrated and disappointed. His comments to media after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-20 loss to the New York Jets were terse. Bitterness even seemed to seep through.

Two weeks later, Trubisky was at ease. He spoke to those same reporters with the appearance of satisfaction.

That’s the difference between being benched in a loss versus coming on in relief to contribute to a win.

“Adversity, it comes with the sport,” Steelers running back Najee Harris said after Sunday’s 20-18 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “Nobody wants to have adversity … but Mitch came in, and he stepped up.”

Trubisky completed 9 of 12 passes for 144 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions and a 142.4 passer rating over the final 1½ quarters of Sunday’s game he played after Kenny Pickett suffered a concussion.

On Oct. 2, a similar situation played out in reverse, only it was not injury but coach Mike Tomlin’s decision that got then-starter Trubisky replaced by rookie Pickett.

Trubisky was palpably annoyed with that decision, but, by the time he arrived at the team’s UPMC Rooney Sports Complex facility the following morning, that had melted away.

“He came in the next day smiling,” Harris said.

More from Tim Benz:

• Feats of Strength: Trio of much maligned Steelers comes up huge as Steelers stun Buccaneers
• Madden Monday: 'If both quarterbacks are available, I would go with Mitch Trubisky'
• First Call: Bucs linebacker offers opinion on Steelers quarterbacks; Gerrit Cole, Clay Holmes keep Yankees alive

A six-year veteran, Trubisky said that was by design.

“You give yourself the 24-hour rule,” he said. “Win or lose, if something bad happens in the game, you’ve just got to get back. What is most important to me is just being part of this team, the fact that I was voted captain. So, I knew, 24 hours, you’ve got to shake it off.

“You’ve got to come in, be a leader and just continue to rally the guys.”

Mitch Trubisky on coming on in relief in the win pic.twitter.com/pHHe5Nhpdy

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 16, 2022

It was apparent within days of the Steelers opening up on-field workouts this spring that Trubisky was well-liked by his new teammates on a franchise he joined via a two-year contract in March.

That remained the case even after his benching in favor of Pickett, the team’s first-round pick.

“I don’t know that it says anything that I didn’t already know as I got to know (Trubisky) throughout this process,” Tomlin said. “He’s been professional and class at every step of the way.”

Being an attentive, supportive teammate throughout a practice week can help a team, but performing during games is another level of contribution.

Trubisky guided two stellar drives during the fourth quarter Sunday, one ending in a touchdown and the next systematically bleeding out the final 4 minutes, 38 seconds of regulation to protect the win.

Trubisky was 5 for 7 on third downs, helping the Steelers convert in what Tomlin likes to call the “weighty moments” of second-half plays of third-and-15 (twice), third-and-13, third-and-6 and third-and-11.

More Steelers:

• Short-handed Steelers keep Brady out of the end zone, beat Bucs to stop skid
• Devin Bush delivers timely play on late 2-point try to help seal Steelers’ win
• Steven Sims calls his shot in producing big returns during 1st full game in role for Steelers
• Steelers QB Kenny Pickett suffers concussion, leaves 1st career home start

Three of those key successful third-down passes went to Chase Claypool and one each to Connor Heyward and George Pickens.

“We had that confidence in him, that timing with him,” Claypool said. “So it wasn’t like we had to figure things out. We were calling the same plays. Hats off to him because he was very poised, and he did his thing.”

The win snapped a four-game losing streak, with two road games against teams with non-losing records up next. With the status of Pickett unknown, Trubisky might be making his fifth start of the season next Sunday at the Miami Dolphins.

Regardless, the most recent taste of play in Trubisky’s mouth won’t be a benching but an inspiring effort in protecting a victory.

Said Trubisky: “It feels good. It feels good to win just as a team. And it feels good to show my teammates what I’m capable of. But I think the best part is just seeing their joy and excitement after a hard-fought victory like that.

“We’ve had some up-and-downs the last couple weeks, but to have that feeling, that’s what you chase every single week and, hopefully, it just continues to pull us together.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.