MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky: 'I'm going to be aggressive' Thursday vs. Patriots

With Kenny Pickett expected to miss multiple weeks following ankle surgery, Mitch Trubisky is in charge of keeping the 7-5 Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff hopes afloat.

The backup has appeared in three games this season, but Thursday night's tilt against New England will mark his first start of 2023. Trubisky's last start came in Week 15, 2022, at Carolina, a 24-16 Steelers win, while Pickett was out with a concussion. Trubisky didn't wow that day, but also didn't botch the game, completing 17 of 22 passes for 179 yards with zero touchdown passes and zero interceptions, and added a run for a score.

The Steelers' offense found new energy following the firing of Matt Canada. However, they've still struggled to find the end zone, scoring 16 points in Week 12's win over Cincinnati and 10 in the faceplant versus Arizona.

Facing a Patriots defense that has smothered opponents despite losing their past five games, Trubisky knows he must balance smart play with an aggressive attitude.

"We're trying to score points," Trubisky said Tuesday, via the team's official website. "I'm going to be aggressive. I'm going to take care of the football, and we've got to play better as an offense. We're going against a good defense this week that is well-coached. So, we've got to do our job and execute.

"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."

Since he joined Pittsburgh last season, Trubisky hasn't been shy about trying to stretch the field in his brief outings but hasn't produced fruitful results.

Trubisky has thrown deep on 13.5% of his pass attempts since 2022 (4th-highest in the NFL, min. 200 attempts), per Next Gen Stats. Trubisky has a 25.1 passer rating on deep passes since 2022 (lowest in NFL, min. 25 such attempts). Trubisky on 20-plus air-yard passes (since 2022, min. 25 such attempts): 9/31 (29.0%), 280 yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions, 25.1 passer rating (lowest). He's generated the most deep passes without a TD (since 2022): Trubisky (31), Sam Darnold (21), Bryce Young (17), Brent Rypien (16), Tyler Huntley (14).

Trubisky has also shown a tendency to take risks with tight windows. Since 2022, Trubisky has the highest tight-window rate in the NFL, minimum of 200 attempts, at 23.6%, per Next Gen Stats, with the lowest open rate in the league at 31.8 percent. Highest tight-window percentage (since 2022, min. 200 attempts): Trubisky (23.6%), Jordan Love (18.9%), Dak Prescott (18.6%), Ryan Tannehill (17.6%).

Trubisky is keenly aware that a balance must be struck between being hyper-aggressive and too risk-averse.

"It's always a fine line," said Trubisky. "I think you can ask any quarterback that you want to be aggressive, but if you're too safe with the football, you're not going to move it. So, you've got to know what you can do. And you always have got to take care of football. But sometimes you've just got to believe in yourself that you can make the throws to move the ball down the field and score points."

With Thursday night's matchup featuring two struggling offenses, it'll be the one who makes the big play while avoiding the massive mistake that will come out with the W.

NFL.com

 

Aggressive is great but reckless is not. I hope he can find the balance. The Steelers can run and the D is ok. Combined with the Patriots offense that's even worse than the Steelers, he should be able to relax.

 

Justin Fields not stressing over uncertain future with Bears

The Bears had the No. 1 pick last year. With Justin Fields headed into only his third season, the Bears passed on taking Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud. Instead, they traded the top choice to the Panthers.

The Bears, via the Panthers’ pick, currently hold the top pick for the 2024 draft.

They are more likely to pick a quarterback this year than they were last year, and Fields knows it.

“I mean, life isn’t fair,” Fields said Wednesday, via Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago. “I’m just focused on what I can control, and the rest is in God’s hands.

“Wherever, if I’m here next year, if I’m not, football doesn’t define who I am as a person. My happiness will still be in the same place, will still be in God. . . . I know that God’s got me, and I’m going to be good. I’m very blessed in the position I am in, and I think a million people would love to be in the position I am right now. So really just, I’m not taking that for granted and just taking each and every moment I have every day up here to the fullest.”

Fields hasn’t made the Bears’ decision an easy one either way. He has a career-best completion percent (64.4), yards per attempt (7.0), yards per game (198.4) and passer rating (92.3) this season.

The Bears are 2-6 with Fields as their starter this season and 2-2 with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent, who started when Fields was out with a dislocated right thumb. They are 7-26 in Fields’ career as the starter.

“I’m really just trying to be consistent, I think that’s the biggest thing,” Fields said. “You can play good one game, play bad the other. So me personally, it’s just trying to be consistent and trying to be better than I was yesterday.”

USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Oregon’s Bo Nix are quarterbacks expected to rank among the top prospects.

Either way, Fields expects to be playing somewhere next season.

“Shoot, since I got to Chicago, y’all don’t hold back,” Fields said. “I hear it from y’all. I hear it from fans and stuff like that. I don’t take any of it personal, because I know everybody’s entitled to their opinion on certain things and stuff like that. That’s one thing I try to do is not take anything personal, and just go about it that way.

“I’ve had moments in my life to where I’ve wanted things to happen that didn’t go that way, and it ended up going another way and it worked out better than I ever could have imagined. That’s really why I just don’t stress about stuff that happens, and just controlling what I control and like I said earlier just being the best person I can be and striving to be the best player I can be.”

PFT

 

I wouldn’t stress either if I was him. Some team signed Trubisky to a nice contract for nothing but crap play

 

Doug Pederson: Trevor Lawrence “probably” a game-time decision on Sunday

Despite suffering a high ankle sprain on Monday night, there’s a possibility Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will suit up to play the Browns on Sunday.

Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson said Lawrence will be listed as questionable and replied, “Probably so” when asked if the QB will be a game-time decision.

“I mean, he’s feeling good. We’ll see,” Pederson said in his Friday press conference. “He moved around a little bit yesterday, see how he does today. Kind of base it on medical staff, how Trevor feels, and if he can go or not.”

Lawrence was a limited practice participant on Thursday after he was sidelined for Wednesday’s session. Though Lawrence has dealt with a few injuries, he has not yet missed a start since the Jaguars selected him at No. 1 overall in 2021.

Pederson noted Lawrence’s effort to get ready to play this week displays his physical and mental toughness.

“I believe when your quarterback exudes that, I think it does send a message to the rest of your team — in a good way,” Pederson said. “And still optimistic, obviously, for this weekend. But, again, the fact that he’s willing and able to put himself out there for his teammates and his team speaks volumes.”

There is potential for the field conditions to be wet, with rain in the forecast for Cleveland on Sunday. Pederson said that’s not likely to affect Lawrence’s game status.

“Maybe some, but not a whole lot,” Pederson said. “It’s more on Trevor, how he feels, and really talking to the docs and seeing, medically, if he’s not in any harm.”

If Lawrence can’t play, then C.J. Beathard will start for Jacksonville. It would be Beathard’s first start since 2020 with San Francisco.

Lawrence has completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions so far this season, good for a 94.4 passer rating.

PFT

 

Dorian Thompson-Robinson out of concussion protocol, Browns won’t name QB for Sunday

Joe Flacco started at quarterback for the Browns last week with Dorian Thompson-Robinson out of action because of a concussion, but the team isn’t saying who is going to get the nod against the Jaguars this Sunday.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters at his Friday press conference that Thompson-Robinson has cleared the concussion protocol after a pair of limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thompson-Robinson was named the team’s starter after Deshaun Watson went on injured reserve, but Stefanski has been mum about the team’s plans for Sunday all week. He remained so on Friday and said that he plans to go up until game-time before making the call.

The Jaguars are set to do the same with Trevor Lawrence as he tries to come back from a high-ankle sprain, so there’s uncertainty on both sides heading into Week 14.

 

Pete Carroll indicates Geno Smith is a game-time decision

The Seahawks list starting quarterback Geno Smith as questionable to play Sunday after he injured his groin at Thursday’s practice.

“He just tweaked his groin a little bit yesterday. He stumbled over somebody,” coach Pete Carroll said Friday, via video from Brady Henderson of ESPN.

Carroll indicated Smith is a game-time decision, and the Seahawks signed Sean Mannion to the practice squad to serve as the backup to Drew Lock in case Smith can’t go.

“We’ll see. We rested him today,” Carroll said of Smith.

Smith was questionable to play in the first game against the 49ers on Nov. 23, but he played through an elbow/triceps injury.

If Smith can’t play, Lock will make his first start for the Seahawks since joining the team before the 2022 season. Lock has played two games this season, his first action for Seattle.

“He’s been waiting for this opportunity and looking forward to it and preparing for it,” Carroll said of Lock. “If it comes to pass, he is as ready as he can get. Excited about him getting a chance to play. He’s been really disciplined about the way he focuses every week, . . . as that guy has to do. If it changes this week, we’ll see the benefits of all his hard work.”

Smith has 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.

NBC

 

Report: Derek Carr cleared from concussion protocol, will start Sunday

Saints quarterback Derek Carr has taken the final step to allow him to play Sunday, clearing concussion protocol, Nick Underhill of neworleans.football reports.

Carr needed clearance from an independent neurologist, which he received Friday.

The Saints had listed Carr as questionable with a concussion and injuries to his ribs and his right shoulder, but he was a full participant in Friday’s practice.

Carr has 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in his first season in New Orleans, and his 230.1 passing yards per game is the lowest of his career since his rookie season.

The Saints are 5-7 but only a game behind the Falcons in the NFC South.

PFT
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Brains, Ribs, shoulder... whats next?

 

Browns elevate Joe Flacco, waive P.J. Walker

The Browns have made a few Saturday roster moves as they prepare to play the Jaguars on Sunday.

Cleveland has elevated quarterback Joe Flacco from the practice squad to the active roster. While head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name a starter for Sunday, it appears likely that Flacco will be the Browns’ QB1 for a second consecutive week.

Flacco completed 23-of-44 passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in last week’s loss to the Rams.

The Browns will have only Flacco and Dorian Thompson-Robinson available at quarterback on Sunday, as the team has waived P.J. Walker to make room for cornerback Cameron Mitchell on the 53-man roster. Mitchell was activated from injured reserve.

Walker appeared in six game with two starts for Cleveland this year, completing 49 percent of his passes for 674 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.

Whoever plays QB on Sunday will have receiver Amari Cooper, as he’s cleared concussion protocol, the team announced.

Offensive tackle Dawand Jones, however, has been downgraded to out with his knee injury.

PFT

 

Trevor Lawrence expects to play despite ankle injury

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence appears to be ready to play today against the Browns, just six days after suffering a high ankle sprain.

Lawrence wants to go and expects to go, and a final decision will be based on how he looks during pregame warmups, according to multiple reports.

That’s surprisingly good news for the Jaguars: When Lawrence went down against the Bengals, it looked like a very serious injury that would force him to miss significant time. He did miss the rest of that game, an overtime loss, but returning six days later would represent a very swift recovery.

Jaguars backup quarterback C.J. Beathard filled in for Lawrence for the rest of the game against the Bengals and would need to be ready again today. The Jaguars also signed quarterback Nathan Rourke, who had been on their practice squad, to the active roster. He will likely be the emergency third quarterback today behind Lawrence and Beathard.

Amid uncertainty about Lawrence’s status, the 7-5 Browns are 2.5-point favorites over the 8-4 Jaguars in a game with major AFC playoff ramifications.

PFT
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Big game... even bigger for the Browns.

 

Geno Smith is out. Drew Lock to start.

 

Mike Tomlin rules out Kenny Pickett for Week 15

Once again, Mitch Trubisky is in line to start at quarterback for the Steelers.

In his Monday press conference, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out Pickett for the Week 15 matchup against the Colts. Pickett is still recovering from undergoing ankle surgery last week.

Trubisky finished last Thursday’s loss to the Patriots 22-of-35 for 190 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Via Mike DeFabo of TheAthletic.com, Tomlin noted that he thought Trubisky got better as the game went on last week. Tomlin added, “It’s a reasonable expectation for him to be even better” with a full week of preparation.

Additionally, Tomlin said T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith remain in concussion protocol.

At 7-6, the Steelers remain the AFC’s No. 6 seed. But with five other teams in the conference carrying the same record — including the Colts — Pittsburgh needs a victory to stay ahead of the rest of the field.

PFT

 

Joe Flacco will play football for as long as he can

Browns quarterback Joe Flacco will be, as of Monday, a free agent. He’ll revert to the practice squad, and any team will be eligible to sign him to the active roster.

The Browns presumably will offer, and Flacco presumably will accept.

The situation is unprecedented. Coach Kevin Stefanski named Flacco the starter for the rest of the season. Even though Flacco isn’t really on the team.

“I’m hearing that first here,” Flacco said by phone last night when I asked for his reaction to being given the starting role. “Listen, just so grateful to have the opportunity a couple weeks ago. And you never know where things are going to take you. And we don’t know what lies ahead at this point either. But man, it’s been a blast. It’s been so much fun to be back out in that field.”

Despite twice being the highest-paid player in NFL history and the Super Bowl XLVII MVP, Flacco didn’t walk away when his days as a sure-fire starter ended. He keeps sticking around, and it’s clearly not for the money.

“I love the game,” he said. “That’s the first reason. And the second reason is I have a lot of people around me that allow me to believe in myself. I still feel like I can play the game, so that’s the main thing is, you know, I feel like I owe it to myself. I put in all this work. I’m 38 years old. I got the rest of my life ahead of me, hopefully, and you know, I’m going to play football as long as I can. It’s a special thing. And like I said, I think the biggest thing with that is that I have people around me that also believe me and that want me to do it. They also believe I can do it, should do it. I think I’m obviously very fortunate because of that.”

Flacco’s support system consists of his wife and five children, aged 11 to five.

“My kids are a huge driver,” Flacco said. “I don’t know if . . . I can describe how special it is to be able to play meaningful games in front of my children at the ages that they are. I’m going to remember this forever. You know, they probably will too. But, ultimately, I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life and I think it’s just such a unique experience. You know, my parents have obviously always been there and pushing me along, not allowing me to give up in certain situations.”

Flacco is still as surprised as anyone by the fact that the journey continues. I asked him if he ever got to the point this year where he thought the phone wouldn’t right.

“I mean, it was probably right around the time where it did ring,” Flacco said.

After his performance on Sunday, his phone could be ringing off the hook today. Chances are he’ll only answer the inevitable call from the Browns.

PFT

 

Justin Herbert seeing hand specialists Monday, no word on Thursday status



The Chargers did not have a timetable for quarterback Justin Herbert’s recovery from a fractured right index finger immediately after Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, but that should change on Monday.

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters at a press conference that Herbert is seeing two hand specialists on Monday in order to get a full picture of the injury and the next steps that need to be taken.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Monday that Herbert is not expected to play against the Raiders on Thursday as a result of the injury. Staley did not say anything either way about Herbert’s availability for this week, but it does seem like a stretch that he’d be able to go with such a quick turnaround.

Easton Stick is in line to get the start if Herbert is ruled out. He made his second regular season appearance on Sunday and has never started an NFL game.

PFT

 

P.J. Walker cleared waivers, set to sign with Browns practice squad.

 

DeVito, now 3-1 as a starter, completed 17 of 21 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown last night. 10/71 on the ground.

 

I hate seeing guys get hurt but I'm really enjoying some of the backups getting a chance in the regular season. Devito has gotten a bit more comfortable as the games have gone on.

 

Will Levis did well also. 23/38/327 1TD, 1 INT and a lost fumble, but he got his 3rd W.

 

Injuries are off the charts, so it seems this year, with key/big players going down. Im not sure if its anymore than usual, but 'big named playmakers' galore.

The Devito story is kinda cool. Hometown kid and all. Tyrod Taylor may not care for it, but these Giants are looking better with Devito than Jones and company.