When Was Mitchell Trubisky Drafted?

The current backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mitchell Trubisky had a lot of promise before he stepped onto the biggest stage of a footballer’s life. Even at the college level, life was not very easy for Trubisky as he had to wait patiently for his time to come. Yet, when he finally became the starter, he had a breakthrough season in 2016. He emerged as a top dual-threat quarterback who had the size and the arm to excel at the sport’s finest level.

Several scouts and analysts held a high opinion about Trubisky especially when he backed up his junior year performances during the NFL combine. Raving about his skill, talent, and overall progress, he was constantly being ranked as the number one or the number two quarterback in his draft class and a definite first round candidate.

Which year did Mitchell Trubisky get Drafted

Mitchell Trubisky completed his junior year of college in 2016 and consequently decided to forgo his senior year to enter the 2017 NFL draft. Coming off an excellent junior year, coupled with a good Combine performance, there was no doubt Trubisky would be selected in the first round. Ultimately, it was the Chicago Bears who moved up to select Trubisky in the 2017 draft with the number two overall selection.

In doing so, Trubisky became the first quarterback off the board that year. Looking back now, it is quite interesting to note that amongst others, Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were also in the same draft class. In hindsight, the Bears may have missed out on a golden chance as they were also keen on Mahomes but passed up on him for Trubisky.

Mitchell Trubisky before the 2017 Draft

Mitchell Trubisky signing with the Bears - Image courtesy - Mitchell Trubisky’s Instagram

The well rounded six foot two inches quarterback was born and brought up in Mentor, Ohio, and played his high school football at Mentor High School. He was a dominant athlete at high school level where he finished with over 9,000 passing yards and had a whopping 92 touchdowns. His quarterback skills were not limited to passing alone as he also ran well with the ball. All in all he put together over 1,500 yards on the ground and added a further 33 touchdowns.

Trubisky decided to go to the University of North Carolina to play his college football on the Tar Heels team. It was a long road for him there as he redshirted his freshman year and then was made the backup for the next two years which limited his appearances in games.

Finally, in his junior year, Trubisky got the opportunity to start all thirteen games making the most out of the chance. With numbers reading 3,748 passing yards, 30 touchdowns in addition to 5 rushing touchdowns, Mr. Ohio as he was fondly called put up a strong case for the upcoming NFL draft.

Mitchell Trubisky in the NFL

As soon as the Chicago Bears selected Trubisky, they would have been mighty confident of making him their franchise quarterback for years to come. Here was a kid with sky high confidence and the ability to make it big in the league, but somehow things just didn’t click.

Most of the blame can be put on the lack of proper communication between the management and the coaching staff as the franchise just wasn’t sure about how to go forward. Trubisky started as the backup but made his way up to the starting role in his rookie year. Although 2017 didn’t go well, the next year had a lot of promise.

In fact, in 2018 the Bears even won the NFC North and it looked like the best years of the franchise were just starting. All the excitement died down within the first few weeks of the new season as Trubisky’s game had somehow hit a big low. Missing simple throws and first downs, bottling up good field positions, and throwing interceptions at important moments all led to his rapid downfall. His accuracy started faltering and his footwork also went missing which then led to two very lackluster seasons finally ending his four year stay in Chicago.

Since then, Trubisky is looking to make his way back as a starter as he spent one full year with the Buffalo Bills being backup to Josh Allen, and then moved to the Steelers where he is currently backing up Kenny Pickett.