Trubisky: With Steelers was 'where I wanted to be'

Before the NFL's legal tampering period began Monday at noon, Mitch Trubisky sat down with his agent and mapped out a strategy of potential landing spots for the free agent quarterback.

At the top of his list was joining the Steelers.

"It was," Trubisky said Thursday, moments after signing his 2-year, $16.25-million contract to join the Steelers.

"This was definitely where I wanted to be. Going through free agency with my agent, we went through all of the options of where we felt it would be a great fit for me in the future. When we found out Pittsburgh had interest, I talked to my agent and said this is where I want to be. I think it will be a great situation for me to come in here. Luckily, it worked out. This was where I wanted to be. It happened very quickly and we jumped on it."

Trubisky will now face the task of replacing Ben Roethlisberger, who retired following 18 years at the end of the 2021 season.

Trubisky, who will wear No. 10 with the Steelers, and Roethlisberger share the same representatives, so the two are already familiar. And Trubisky, the second-overall pick by the Bears in the 2017 draft, knows all about pressure already.

The Bears not only moved up to the second spot in the draft to acquire him, they did so while Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were both still available. That caused quite a bit of angst in Chicago, helping to lead to his eventual departure there when the Bears decided to not pick up his fifth-year option.

But he landed in Buffalo last season as the backup to Josh Allen, giving him a year to take a step back and reset his career.

"I think I'm just taking all of my experience starting in Chicago, and then taking everything I learned in Buffalo, I feel like I'm more of a veteran now," Trubisky said. "I've been through three or four offenses now (in the NFL). I know what I like and what works. I know what great communication and great culture looks like between players and coaches. I've been a part of a lot of winning teams and I've won a lot of games as a starter. I feel like, mentally, I'm in a really great space to get back on the field and do great things. And I'm here to do whatever I can to help the Steelers win.

"The first thing I learned when I got to Buffalo was what a great culture is. I already feel that in my short time in Pittsburgh. ... Culture wins. I could feel that in Buffalo and I can feel that here. ... I can tell it's going to be a great fit for me here in Pittsburgh."

Trubisky compiled a 29-21 record as a starter with the Bears, leading them to the playoffs twice in his four seasons. But he was 25-13 in his final three seasons there after going 4-8 as a rookie starter.

He completed 64 percent of his passes for just over 10,000 yards with 64 touchdown passes and 38 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,081 yards and nine more scores.

He'll be tasked with learning a new offense as quickly as possible so that he can win the starting job for the Steelers, who also still have Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins on the roster.

"You expect competition, and I'm looking forward to earning the spot and earning the trust of my teammates," said Trubisky, adding he's already had a number of his new teammates reach out to him since his deal was announced earlier this week.

Trubisky said part of his process prior to free agency was to go back and study the offensive play calling of Steelers coordinator Matt Canada. He feels his mobility will be a factor in Canada's offense.

"I'm excited to learn a new offense and get with coach Canada and (quarterbacks coach Mike) Sullivan and see what we can do on offense here," said Trubisky, who said he plans on staying in Pittsburgh with his wife, Hillary, the next few days to start learning the playbook and meet with coaches.

Trubisky was the centerpiece to what has been the busiest first week of free agency in Steelers history. He joins a group that includes the additions of offensive linemen James Daniels and Mason Cole, cornerback Levi Wallace and linebacker Myles Jack.

Trubisky was teammates with Daniels in Chicago, while he and Wallace were teammates last season in Buffalo.

"Mitch is a great guy both on and off the field," said Wallace. "(He's) definitely a leader on and off the field. Definitely a team player. The way he carries himself each and every day, (he's) a true professional. I love being on his team, even when he wasn't playing with (Allen) starting last year, he did so much for the team and the organization on and off the field. I'm glad to see a familiar face here, and I'm glad to have him here. We're ready to get to work."

Trubisky certainly seems to be.

Now, he'll face the task of winning fans over the way Roethlisberger did for the past two decades.

"They really didn't need to sell me on anything," Trubisky said. "I wanted to come here and play for coach (Mike) Tomlin and be a part of the rich history. ... My goal throughout free agency was to find a way to get back onto the field and going to a situation where I could earn a starting job. When the opportunity arose to come here and play for coach Tomlin and wear the Pittsburgh Steelers uniform, I was so excited. Now I'm ready to roll and get it it."