The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Mitchell Trubisky their starting quarterback for Week 1’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that “Mitch Trubisky is our starting quarterback and our captain,” citing Trubisky’s “franchise quarterback experience” as one of the reasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers named him their starter for 2022. The Steelers listed Kenny Pickett, the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, as their second-string quarterback.

Tomlin told reporters: “Man, we’re just really comfortable with what Mitch has shown us…He’s a guy that came to us with franchise quarterback experience, if you will. He’s comfortable in those shoes. He’s been the focal point of a football team and an organization before, he’s had success in doing so.” He added: “Like I mentioned when we acquired him, he took the Bears to the playoffs two out of four years. He was a winning record as a starting quarterback. Those things were attractive to us.”

The Steelers signed Trubisky as a free agent in March. He spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bears, and completed just 6 of 8 passes for 75 yards and an interception in six games last season for the Buffalo Bills. Trubisky completed 66.6% of his throws for 3,223 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions en route to a Pro Bowl selection during his best season in 2018. He went 11-3 as a starter that season. Trubisky went 14-10 over his final two seasons in Chicago.

The Steelers will host the New England Patriots in their season opener at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

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