Mitchell Trubisky was once famously drafted ahead of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in the 2017 NFL Draft, selected by the Chicago Bears at number two overall. After four years of lackluster results in Chicago (outside of his Pro Bowl sophomore season), Trubisky went to the Buffalo Bills to seek the tutelage of Brian Daboll and Josh Allen.

Trubisky parlayed that backup QB gig into a “starting” role with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though in reality he was just keeping the seat warm for the franchise’s handpicked heir to Ben Roethlisberger: Kenny Pickett. All the twists and turns in his career couldn’t prepare him for the news that came out this week, however, as it was announced by head coach Mike Tomlin that Mason Rudolph would replace Trubisky as the Steelers’ starter while Pickett nurses an ankle injury.

As Trubisky’s play declines, and he gets further into his career, the question becomes: how many more chances will he have to prove he belongs?

Coaches have little faith in Trubisky’s talents

Trubisky’s game-management style borders on excessive

When Trubisky came out of college, it was well known that his “internal clock” wasn’t where it needed to be to succeed at the NFL level. He took far too many sacks and unnecessary hits when a pass rush would collapse the pocket, and he would rarely step up to avoid edge rushers. In all, it made him a quarterback dependent on being able to throw on the run, while receivers would have to win early on quick-breaking routes.

His struggles in Chicago have been well-documented to this point, though a lot of that blame has (rightly) fallen on Matt Nagy, the Bears’ head coach and offensive play caller at the time. Pittsburgh hasn’t made it any easier on him with Matt Canada’s offensive scheme, though the stats are still alarming.