The early word out of Pittsburgh is that although it's a competition for the starting quarterback job, the expectation is that veteran Mitch Trubisky, rather than rookie Kenny Pickett, will start out atop the depth chart. So some consideration must be given to him in fantasy leagues.
Trubisky flamed out as a starter in Chicago, of course, and Bears fans are painfully aware the team drafted him ahead of Patrick Mahomes back in 2017. (Deshaun Watson, too, although that's talked about a little less these days.) But here in the fantasy football realm, Trubisky was a slightly better performer as a starter than you might remember.
In his first full season as a starter, 2018, Trubisky played well enough (and enough people opted out ahead of him) that he went to the Pro Bowl, plus the team went 11-3 with him in the lineup. A year later, as a full-season starter, he went 8-7. He even went 6-3 in 2020, though that was it for him in Chicago. Seldom has a quarterback with as favorable a career won-loss record (29-21) been thought of as poorly as Trubisky.
Since Trubisky is a runner, he wound up with some usable fantasy production at times, as well. In those three seasons he ran for 809 yards and 6 TDs. That helped him finish as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in 2018, on a per-game basis (among all quarterbacks to start at least half the season). Not as good in 2019 or 2020, finishing outside the top 20 both seasons. But the potential is there for him to be a viable starter in 2-QB leagues or serviceable backup. That's something.
Table shows all quarterbacks to start at least half the time in the 2018-2020 seasons, sorted by per-game fantasy production.
QUARTERBACK FANTASY PERFORMANCE, 2018-2020 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | G | GS | Pass | PaTD | Run | RuTD | FF | FF/G |
2018 | Patrick Mahomes, K.C. | 16 | 16 | 5097 | 50 | 272 | 2 | 496.1 | 31.0 |
2019 | Lamar Jackson, Balt. | 15 | 15 | 3127 | 36 | 1206 | 7 | 463.0 | 30.9 |
2020 | Josh Allen, Buff. | 16 | 16 | 4544 | 37 | 421 | 8 | 473.5 | 29.6 |
2020 | Patrick Mahomes, K.C. | 15 | 15 | 4740 | 38 | 308 | 2 | 437.8 | 29.2 |
2020 | Kyler Murray, Ariz. | 16 | 16 | 3971 | 26 | 819 | 11 | 450.5 | 28.2 |
2020 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 16 | 16 | 4299 | 48 | 149 | 3 | 440.3 | 27.5 |
2020 | Deshaun Watson, Hou. | 16 | 16 | 4823 | 33 | 444 | 3 | 437.6 | 27.3 |
2020 | Russell Wilson, Sea. | 16 | 16 | 4212 | 40 | 513 | 2 | 435.9 | 27.2 |
2018 | Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt. | 16 | 16 | 5129 | 34 | 98 | 3 | 429.2 | 26.8 |
2018 | Matt Ryan, Atl. | 16 | 16 | 4924 | 35 | 125 | 3 | 428.2 | 26.8 |
2019 | Jameis Winston, T.B. | 16 | 16 | 5109 | 33 | 250 | 1 | 426.5 | 26.7 |
2020 | Justin Herbert, LAC | 15 | 15 | 4336 | 31 | 234 | 5 | 398.2 | 26.5 |
2019 | Deshaun Watson, Hou. | 15 | 15 | 3852 | 26 | 413 | 7 | 389.5 | 26.0 |
2019 | Matthew Stafford, Det. | 8 | 8 | 2499 | 19 | 66 | 0 | 207.6 | 25.9 |
2019 | Dak Prescott, Dall. | 16 | 16 | 4902 | 30 | 277 | 3 | 412.8 | 25.8 |
2020 | Lamar Jackson, Balt. | 15 | 15 | 2757 | 26 | 1005 | 7 | 386.4 | 25.8 |
2020 | Tom Brady, T.B. | 16 | 16 | 4633 | 40 | 6 | 3 | 410.3 | 25.6 |
2018 | Andrew Luck, Ind. | 16 | 16 | 4593 | 39 | 148 | 0 | 405.9 | 25.4 |
2020 | Ryan Tannehill, Ten. | 16 | 16 | 3819 | 33 | 266 | 7 | 398.6 | 24.9 |
2018 | Deshaun Watson, Hou. | 16 | 16 | 4165 | 26 | 551 | 5 | 397.4 | 24.8 |
2018 | Jared Goff, LAR | 16 | 16 | 4688 | 32 | 108 | 2 | 397.2 | 24.8 |
2018 | Cam Newton, Car. | 14 | 14 | 3395 | 24 | 488 | 4 | 342.6 | 24.5 |
2019 | Patrick Mahomes, K.C. | 14 | 14 | 4031 | 26 | 218 | 2 | 341.4 | 24.4 |
2020 | Kirk Cousins, Min. | 16 | 16 | 4265 | 35 | 156 | 1 | 384.9 | 24.1 |
2019 | Russell Wilson, Sea. | 16 | 16 | 4110 | 31 | 342 | 3 | 383.7 | 24.0 |
2019 | Drew Brees, N.O. | 11 | 11 | 2979 | 27 | -4 | 1 | 262.6 | 23.9 |
2018 | Drew Brees, N.O. | 15 | 15 | 3992 | 32 | 22 | 4 | 356.9 | 23.8 |
2018 | Jameis Winston, T.B. | 11 | 9 | 2992 | 19 | 281 | 1 | 259.7 | 23.6 |
2019 | Matt Ryan, Atl. | 15 | 15 | 4466 | 26 | 147 | 1 | 350.0 | 23.3 |
2018 | Mitchell Trubisky, Chi. | 14 | 14 | 3223 | 24 | 421 | 3 | 325.3 | 23.2 |
2018 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 16 | 16 | 4442 | 25 | 269 | 2 | 367.0 | 22.9 |
2018 | Carson Wentz, Phil. | 11 | 11 | 3074 | 21 | 93 | 0 | 250.4 | 22.8 |
2018 | Kirk Cousins, Min. | 16 | 16 | 4298 | 30 | 123 | 1 | 360.1 | 22.5 |
2019 | Ryan Tannehill, Ten. | 12 | 10 | 2742 | 22 | 185 | 4 | 269.6 | 22.5 |
2019 | Daniel Jones, NYG | 13 | 12 | 3027 | 24 | 279 | 2 | 291.3 | 22.4 |
2020 | Gardner Minshew, Jac. | 9 | 8 | 2259 | 16 | 153 | 1 | 201.3 | 22.4 |
2020 | Matt Ryan, Atl. | 16 | 16 | 4581 | 26 | 92 | 2 | 356.3 | 22.3 |
2018 | Baker Mayfield, Cle. | 14 | 13 | 3725 | 27 | 131 | 0 | 311.4 | 22.2 |
2018 | Philip Rivers, LAC | 16 | 16 | 4308 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 354.1 | 22.1 |
2018 | Dak Prescott, Dall. | 16 | 16 | 3885 | 22 | 305 | 6 | 352.8 | 22.0 |
2018 | Russell Wilson, Sea. | 16 | 16 | 3448 | 35 | 376 | 0 | 351.9 | 22.0 |
2018 | Tom Brady, N.E. | 16 | 16 | 4355 | 29 | 35 | 2 | 350.9 | 21.9 |
2019 | Kyler Murray, Ariz. | 16 | 16 | 3722 | 20 | 544 | 4 | 350.5 | 21.9 |
2020 | Carson Wentz, Phil. | 12 | 12 | 2620 | 16 | 276 | 5 | 262.6 | 21.9 |
2020 | Joe Burrow, Cin. | 10 | 10 | 2688 | 13 | 142 | 3 | 218.6 | 21.9 |
2020 | Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt. | 15 | 15 | 3803 | 33 | 11 | 0 | 327.3 | 21.8 |
2020 | Derek Carr, L.V. | 16 | 16 | 4103 | 27 | 140 | 3 | 347.2 | 21.7 |
2019 | Josh Allen, Buff. | 16 | 16 | 3089 | 20 | 510 | 9 | 345.5 | 21.6 |
2019 | Carson Wentz, Phil. | 16 | 16 | 4039 | 27 | 243 | 1 | 344.3 | 21.5 |
2018 | Josh Allen, Buff. | 12 | 11 | 2074 | 10 | 631 | 8 | 256.8 | 21.4 |
2020 | Drew Brees, N.O. | 12 | 12 | 2942 | 24 | -2 | 2 | 254.9 | 21.2 |
2019 | Andy Dalton, Cin. | 13 | 13 | 3494 | 16 | 73 | 4 | 274.6 | 21.1 |
2019 | Jared Goff, LAR | 16 | 16 | 4638 | 22 | 40 | 2 | 335.9 | 21.0 |
2019 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 16 | 16 | 4002 | 26 | 183 | 1 | 334.4 | 20.9 |
2020 | Jared Goff, LAR | 15 | 15 | 3952 | 20 | 99 | 4 | 313.5 | 20.9 |
2018 | Nick Mullens, S.F. | 8 | 8 | 2277 | 13 | -16 | 0 | 166.3 | 20.8 |
2020 | Cam Newton, N.E. | 15 | 15 | 2657 | 8 | 592 | 12 | 309.6 | 20.6 |
2019 | Gardner Minshew, Jac. | 14 | 12 | 3271 | 21 | 344 | 0 | 288.0 | 20.6 |
2019 | Philip Rivers, LAC | 16 | 16 | 4615 | 23 | 29 | 0 | 327.7 | 20.5 |
2019 | Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mia. | 15 | 13 | 3529 | 20 | 243 | 4 | 306.8 | 20.5 |
2020 | Teddy Bridgewater, Car. | 15 | 15 | 3733 | 15 | 279 | 5 | 306.6 | 20.4 |
2020 | Matthew Stafford, Det. | 16 | 16 | 4084 | 26 | 112 | 0 | 323.4 | 20.2 |
2018 | Andy Dalton, Cin. | 11 | 11 | 2566 | 21 | 99 | 0 | 222.2 | 20.2 |
2019 | Jimmy Garoppolo, S.F. | 16 | 16 | 3978 | 27 | 62 | 1 | 323.1 | 20.2 |
2019 | Tom Brady, N.E. | 16 | 16 | 4057 | 24 | 34 | 3 | 322.3 | 20.1 |
2019 | Kirk Cousins, Min. | 15 | 15 | 3603 | 26 | 63 | 1 | 298.5 | 19.9 |
2019 | Kyle Allen, Car. | 13 | 12 | 3322 | 17 | 106 | 2 | 256.7 | 19.7 |
2019 | Baker Mayfield, Cle. | 16 | 16 | 3827 | 22 | 141 | 3 | 313.5 | 19.6 |
2018 | Eli Manning, NYG | 16 | 16 | 4299 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 313.0 | 19.6 |
2018 | Joe Flacco, Balt. | 9 | 9 | 2465 | 12 | 45 | 0 | 175.8 | 19.5 |
2020 | Mitchell Trubisky, Chi. | 10 | 9 | 2055 | 16 | 195 | 1 | 194.3 | 19.4 |
2019 | Sam Darnold, NYJ | 13 | 13 | 3024 | 19 | 62 | 2 | 251.4 | 19.3 |
2020 | Baker Mayfield, Cle. | 16 | 16 | 3563 | 26 | 165 | 1 | 308.3 | 19.3 |
2019 | Derek Carr, Oak. | 16 | 16 | 4054 | 21 | 82 | 2 | 306.9 | 19.2 |
2020 | Philip Rivers, Ind. | 16 | 16 | 4169 | 24 | -8 | 0 | 305.7 | 19.1 |
2020 | Drew Lock, Den. | 13 | 13 | 2933 | 16 | 160 | 3 | 246.7 | 19.0 |
2018 | Derek Carr, Oak. | 16 | 16 | 4049 | 19 | 47 | 1 | 291.3 | 18.2 |
2018 | Case Keenum, Den. | 16 | 16 | 3890 | 18 | 93 | 2 | 287.8 | 18.0 |
2019 | Jacoby Brissett, Ind. | 15 | 15 | 2942 | 18 | 228 | 4 | 269.1 | 17.9 |
2018 | Sam Darnold, NYJ | 13 | 13 | 2865 | 17 | 138 | 1 | 231.1 | 17.8 |
2018 | Blake Bortles, Jac. | 13 | 12 | 2718 | 13 | 365 | 1 | 230.4 | 17.7 |
2018 | Matthew Stafford, Det. | 16 | 16 | 3777 | 21 | 71 | 0 | 280.0 | 17.5 |
2020 | Nick Mullens, S.F. | 10 | 8 | 2437 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 172.7 | 17.3 |
2020 | Daniel Jones, NYG | 14 | 14 | 2943 | 11 | 423 | 1 | 241.5 | 17.2 |
2019 | Mitchell Trubisky, Chi. | 15 | 15 | 3138 | 17 | 193 | 2 | 258.2 | 17.2 |
2018 | Alex Smith, Was. | 10 | 10 | 2180 | 10 | 168 | 1 | 171.8 | 17.2 |
2018 | Ryan Tannehill, Mia. | 11 | 11 | 1979 | 17 | 145 | 0 | 188.8 | 17.2 |
2020 | Tua Tagovailoa, Mia. | 10 | 9 | 1814 | 11 | 109 | 3 | 165.6 | 16.6 |
2020 | Andy Dalton, Dall. | 11 | 9 | 2170 | 14 | 114 | 0 | 176.6 | 16.1 |
2018 | Marcus Mariota, Ten. | 14 | 13 | 2528 | 11 | 357 | 2 | 221.2 | 15.8 |
2020 | Sam Darnold, NYJ | 12 | 12 | 2208 | 9 | 217 | 2 | 182.1 | 15.2 |
2019 | Joe Flacco, Den. | 8 | 8 | 1822 | 6 | 20 | 0 | 119.1 | 14.9 |
2019 | Mason Rudolph, Pitt. | 10 | 8 | 1765 | 13 | 42 | 0 | 144.5 | 14.4 |
2019 | Case Keenum, Was. | 10 | 8 | 1707 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 136.6 | 13.7 |
2018 | Josh Rosen, Ariz. | 14 | 13 | 2278 | 11 | 138 | 0 | 173.7 | 12.4 |
None of this is enough to make Trubisky a desirable selection in drafts. "Could be a top-20 quarterback" is a pretty low bar.
But the belief that he'll open as a Week 1 starter is enough to get him at least some mild interest in Superflex leagues, while also removing Pickett from the list of reasonable late-round targets. I suspect Pickett will start games at some point this season, but it sounds like it won't happen right away.
--Andy Richardson