By: Jake Rajala

The signal-caller Jameis Winston struggled as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer in 2019 and then decided to get Bruce Wayne-like training and guidance under the New Orleans Saints during the 2020 season. Winston became wiser with the Saints in 2020, earned the keys to the offense in the 2021 off-season, and then unveiled his best seven-game span with the Saints in 2021. Mitchell Trubisky will look to follow a similar path as Winston – as he didn’t leave Chicago on a high note in 2020. After meditating and competing with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills last season, Trubisky will look to have his best season as a starter with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022.

Trubisky had growing pains as a rookie, as he recorded a starting record of 4-8. Although, he made the Pro Bowl in his sophomore season and had a very impressive record of 11-3. He also had a career-high 3,223 passing yards and a personal best of 24 passing touchdowns. His passing TD mark in 2018 is quietly higher than Derek Carr’s TD tally (23) in 2021.

He unleashed a winning record in 2019 (8-7) and 2020 (6-3), as well. He may have benefited from a Khalil Mack-led defense, but he certainly has made big plays in pivotal moments (as shown above). His winning percentage (72%) also compares well to the stat machine Kirk Cousins (50%) and the former NFC Champion Jared Goff (82%). Trubisky may not be Patrick Mahomes or a passing yard machine, but he has led his team to a similar success rate as unique, long-time starting QB faces in this league.

Most importantly, the hungry Steelers veteran QB is out of Nagy, aka Alcatraz island. He is in an unmatched culture and he has the best group of WRs (Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and George Pickens) in his career. For the second time in his career, he has a hulk/DPOY winner on defense in T.J. Watt. I certainly expect the talented, clutch, and Steelers QB in a friendly system to be the next NFL QB to have a Steve Jobs-like career rebound and then sincerely unleash a personal best season.

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By: Jake Rajala

Diontae Johnson was a monster in 2021, as he recorded career highs in: receptions (107), targets (169) yards (1,161 yds), and touchdowns (8). His production spoke for himself, as he was a Top-10 fantasy WR in PPR (9th in points per game) in 2021. Johnson rightfully garnered a Pro Bowl spot last season, via his tremendous third season in the league.

It’s obvious that Johnson was from another planet last season, but the question is: can Johnson be a potent WR in the new-look Steelers offense? Well, I believe he certainly will be a stat machine for Mitchell Trubisky, as he seems to be logical 2022 starter.

Per Behind the Steelers Curtain, the Steelers fans also believe Trubisky is in line to be the QB1.

There are two important factors revolving the Steelers QB change. For 1. Big Ben was far from excellent in 2021. The Steelers QB legend threw 22 touchdowns, 6.2 Y/A, and unveiled 3,740 yds. For 2. Trubisky (assuming he gets the Week 1 keys to the offense), can likely be an upgrade over the 2021 version of Roethlisberger in a Steelers uniform. Trubisky threw 24 touchdowns in 14 games as a sophomore QB in a worse situation. I still believe that the Nagy-less version of Trubisky can at least oust a season similar to his 2018 season.

I actually believe there is a strong chance that Trubisky is the 2023 starter. It may seem sexy to say Trubisky is the “mentor” but he is only 27 (28 in August) at this moment. It should also be noted that Pickett doesn’t appear to have an impressive ceiling.

Johnson will not only be heavily targeted (perhaps a bit less than 2021), but he will excel in the deep-passing game with his new QB. I understand that the former Steelers QB won two Super Bowls and somehow receives a legacy comparison to Aaron Rodgers, but I believe that Johnson will continue to climb the ladder with a more explosive QB-mate in 2022. Trust in Johnson (and his contract year) and his long-term outlook as a Steeler in the JuJu-less offense, as the Pickett Trubisky-Johnson connection should thrive.

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The Washington Commanders have been aggressively looking around the candy shop for a quarterback in 2022. Ron Rivera has lobbied for Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, and the other 30 NFL starting QBs. Rivera hasn’t found his new starting signal-caller, at least from our angle.

Rivera might have called former Saints head coach Mike Ditka about his decision to trade all his draft choices for Ricky Williams.

Rivera will certainly look at the free-agent pool and ponder drafting a QB in the 2022 NFL draft, as well. So, who should we expect Washington to ink as their new starting QB? Well, I believe it will be Mitchell Trubisky. The ESPN analyst Dan Orlosky also dubbed Washington as a very favorable destination for the former Bears first-round pick. Here is why Trubisky needs to be in a Washington uniform soon.

• Top free agent fit

I wholeheartedly believe Trubisky is the right choice for Ron Rivera out of the other free-agent options. Mike Tomlin wants an athletic QB and I expect Tomlin to target Marcus Mariota or a QB early in the draft. I really believe Jameis Winston, who’s the top free agent QB, to pick the familiar, talented Saints as his 2022 home.

Trubisky is the best combination of talent and age after Mariota and Winston. He was also in the playoffs with a Chicago Bears team that is less talented than the Commanders. Not only was Trubisky showing growth in his last days as the Bears starting QB, but he grew physically and mentally behind Allen. Rivera also has ties to the Bills staff, so he will know the work ethic that Trubisky displays.

I really expect Trubisky to be head over heels to sign with the Commanders over a team like the Jets and Giants. I do have to admit that the Broncos could be the most competitive team to sign Trubisky (assuming Winston and Mariota are off elsewhere). He could prefer the top-end weapons on Washington and weaker competition in the NFC East over the AFC West.

Trubisky might catch a lot of heat for being drafted over Patrick Mahomes, but a slightly improved Trubisky from 2020 with the Commanders should be enough to pin them as a wildcard team (Perhaps over Philly).

• lack of QB trade options

The world knows that the Commanders will not get Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, or Kirk Cousins. A-Rod will likely have a say in where he lands and I expect him to pick the Broncos, Saints, or his positive home with the Packers. If they have an opportunity to get Jimmy G or Baker Mayfield, I expect Rivera to prefer signing Trubisky honestly. Trubisky isn’t only a potentially better QB than Garoppollo and Mayfield, but a Jimmy G or Mayfield trade would cost Rivera quite a bit.

• lack of a top end QB in the NFL draft

I believe the Washington Commanders are shopping around for one big reason. They want a proven QB right now and they know that there isn’t an “Andrew Luck” or “Cam Newton” like QB in the 2022 NFL Draft. Malik Willis would be an enticing option, but I see a team trading up for him in the Top 10. They could grab Sam Howell at 11, but I still see Rivera handing the keys to Trubisky in year one. Orlovsky (ESPN analyst) wants to see the Commanders ink Trubisky and still draft a QB. If they go down that road, I imagine Trubisky winning the starting QB battle in “year one”.

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