‘I’m going to be aggressive,’ says Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Patriots game on Thursday……

With multiple weeks of missed time due to ankle surgery, Kenny Pickett leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7-5; Mitchell Trubisky will have to carry the team’s playoff hopes.

Although the backup has made three appearances this season, he will be starting for the first time in 2023 on Thursday night against New England. Week 15, 2022, at Carolina, a 24-16 Steelers victory, marked Trubisky’s final start while Pickett was sidelined due to a concussion. While not spectacular that day, Trubisky finished 17 of 22 passes for 179 yards, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions, and added a run for a score.

The Steelers’ offense regained momentum after Matt Canada was fired. They did, however, still struggle to find the end zone, scoring 10 points in the faceplant against Arizona and 16 points in the Week 12 victory over Cincinnati.

Trubisky is aware that in order to defeat the Patriots, who have lost their last five games despite stifling opponents, he needs to strike a balance between calculated play and aggressiveness.

Through the team’s official website, Trubisky stated on Tuesday, “We’re trying to score points.” “I’m going to act combative. We need to improve as an offensive unit, and I’ll handle the football. This week, we’re playing against a competent and well-coached defense. Thus, we must carry out our duties and perform.

“We want to be an aggressive offense. So whatever that means, taking care of football, we got to find ways to score points. That’s the bottom line.”

Trubisky hasn’t been afraid to try to stretch the field in his few appearances since joining Pittsburgh last season, but he hasn’t yielded any results.

According to Next Gen Stats, Trubisky has thrown deep on 13.5% of his pass attempts since 2022—the fourth-highest percentage in the NFL (minimum 200 attempts). Since 2022, Trubisky has had the lowest passer rating in the NFL (25.1; minimum of 25 attempts on deep passes). Trubisky on passes with 20 or more air yards (since 2022, minimum of 25 attempts): 9/31 (29.0%), 280 yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and the lowest passer rating of 25.1. Since 2022, he has produced the greatest number of deep passes without a touchdown (31), followed by Sam Darnold (21), Bryce Young (17), Brent Rypien (16), and Tyler Huntley (14).

With small windows, Trubisky has also demonstrated a propensity to take chances. According to Next Gen Stats, Trubisky has had the lowest open rate in the league (31.8%) and the highest tight-window rate (23.6%) in the NFL (minimum of 200 attempts) since 2022. The players with the highest percentage of tight windows (since 2022, minimum 200 attempts) are Trubisky (23.6%), Ryan Tannehill (17.6%), Dak Prescott (18.6%), and Jordan Love (18.9%).

Trubisky understands very well the need to strike a balance between being overly risk-averse and overly aggressive.

There’s always a thin line, Trubisky said. “You can ask any quarterback to be aggressive, in my opinion, but if they play the ball too safe, they won’t be able to move it. Thus, you must be aware of your capabilities. Football is something you have to take care of at all times. To move the ball down the field and score points, though, sometimes all you have to do is have faith in your own ability to make the throws.”

With two struggling offenses facing off on Thursday night, the team that makes the big play while avoiding the costly error will emerge victorious.