Steelers GM Omar Khan: 'I want Mitch (Trubisky) around’ as backup QB

When the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2023 season begins, don’t expect the top two spots on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback depth chart to be any different than they were when the 2022 season ended.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Indianapolis, general manager Omar Khan enthusiastically endorsed keeping Mitch Trubisky around to serve as the backup to Kenny Pickett, who is entering his second NFL season this fall.

“Mitch has been awesome since the day he got here,” Khan told reporters on the opening day of the NFL combine. “How he’s worked with Kenny has been great, and I want Mitch around.”

Signed to a two-year deal last March, Trubisky is due an $8 million salary with a $10.625 million salary-cap hit in 2023. If the Steelers cut or traded Trubisky, they would save the $8 million both in regards to cash and cap space.

But Khan said there is value in having a 29-year-old, seven-year NFL veteran in the position room as Pickett enters his first training camp and season opener as the unquestioned starter.

“I think any young quarterback would tell you that having that veteran presence around you is tremendous,” Khan said in Indianapolis, “especially if you have a guy like Mitch who handles things so well.”

With Pickett on a rookie contract, paying a backup not-insignificant money is not onerous to a team’s salary cap. The No. 20 overall draft pick last year, Pickett will make just $1.34 million with a mere $3.197 million cap hit in 2023.

Pickett twice was forced to leave starts last season because of the NFL concussion protocol, and he missed the Dec. 18 game at Carolina. In addition to starting the first four games of the season, Trubisky came on in relief for Pickett twice as well as starting the win at the Panthers.

Trubisky, a former No. 2 overall pick, is 31-24 as a starter and generally is regarded as a premium NFL backup. The caveat is Trubisky could still consider himself worthy of starting and not want to stay in Pittsburgh with no chance of that happening (barring injury).

But recent social media posts have shown Trubisky working out with Pickett and Steelers receivers. He also broke a long Twitter silence to refute a national radio report about a physical altercation with Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson at halftime of an October game. Since Pickett was drafted, all indications have been that he and Trubisky have had a good relationship.

“Mitch has been great,” Khan said Tuesday. “He’s been great to have around, and I am looking forward to having him around — not only this year but for a long time.”

Khan also did not close the door on re-signing Mason Rudolph, the six-year veteran who served as the Steelers’ No. 3 quarterback this past season.

“I would say all options are on the table right now,” Khan said. “Obviously, we have two under contract. Mason’s a free agent. As you saw in the playoffs, it’s important to have more than two quarterbacks available.

“We had a great relationship. Good conversations with Mason. The door’s still open.”

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