Free-agent quarterback Michelle Trubisky plans to sign a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Monday.
Trubisky said his decision came down to the Steelers and the New York Giants.
"It was the best opportunity for me and my family ... the best way to get back on the field and try to win the game ... You have to go out and earn it," he told Fowler.
In Pittsburgh, he will compete with Mason Rudolph for the starting quarterback position as the franchise begins in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. Roethlisberger retired in January after 18 seasons with the Steelers, helping the franchise to two Super Bowl victories and ending his career with the fifth-most passing yards in NFL history (64,088).
The Steelers' roster also features former first-rounder Dwayne Haskins, and general manager Kevin Colbert said earlier this month that he expected to go to training camp with four quarterbacks on the roster.
Time away from a paid initial role for Trubisky, who spent last season as a backup quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. He accepted a one-year, $2.5 million contract to play behind starter Josh Allen, who is now head coach of the New York Giants, learning from quarterback coach Ken Dorsey and offensive coordinator Brian Dabol.
While the only time he played came when games were out of reach, former Chicago Bears starter Trubisky had the opportunity to start anew in a new environment.
"Going to Buffalo really opened my eyes," Trubisky told Fowler in February. "... [being] in Buffalo and [having] a different way of doing things, you learn what's possible. It helped me get back to comfortable football and use my talents instead of overthinking. "
Trubisky, the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, started 50 games in his four seasons with the Bears, ending with a 29-21 record. He completed 64.1% of his career passes with 38 interceptions from 64 touchdowns. He also has 1,081 career rushing yards and nine rushing TDs.
Trubisky, 27, had a tumultuous career with the Bears. He made the Pro Bowl in 2018 and then failed to live up to the lofty expectations set by then-coach Matt Nagy in 2020.
He found success in the 2021 Bills preseason game against the Bears, finishing 28 for 20 for 221 yards and one touchdown.