Mike Tomlin benched Mitchell Trubisky in favor of Kenny Pickett during the 24-20 loss against the New York Jets and many thought it was because of his play on the field.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offered more information about that decision in a piece published Monday.
As it turns out, it had something to do with Trubisky and Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson getting into a “heated exchange” during halftime of Week 4’s game against the New York Jets.
Johnson reportedly yelled at Trubisky to give him more targets, and Trubisky “stood up” to the star wideout.
“Trubisky was benched against the Jets following a locker room confrontation at halftime with receiver Diontae Johnson, multiple sources have told the Post-Gazette,” Dulac wrote. “According to sources, Johnson began yelling at Trubisky to throw him the ball more, even though Johnson had a pass skip off his hands that resulted in an interception and failed to get his feet inbounds on what would have been a 23-yard touchdown in the first half. Trubisky stood up to Johnson and a heated exchange occurred. That’s when Pickett was told he would start the second half.”
Before he was benched in that game, Trubisky was 7-for-13 with 84 yards and one interception. When Pickett came in, he went 10-of-13 with 120 yards and three interceptions in the 24-20 loss.
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After replacing Trubisky against the Jets, Pickett was named the starter the following week. But after playing in one full game, he would knocked out of Sunday’s matchup versus the Buccaneers because of a concussion, leading to Trubisky coming in and leading the team to a 20-18 victory.
Trubisky completed nine of his 12 passes with 144 yards and a touchdown.
