The Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2024.

Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do the same here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since Coach Tomlin has previously stated he starts his interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.

Next up are guard James Daniels and the already departed Mitch Trubisky.

James Daniels

Position: Guard
Years with the Steelers: 2
Years in the NFL: 6
Contract Status: Signed through 2024
Contract Details: $11,166,668 salary cap hit for 2024. Would cost the Steelers $2,916,668 in dead money if released and save $8,250,000.
Games played in 2023: 15 regular season
Games started in 2023: 15 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 945 (offense)
PFF score: 61.1 (33rd of 79)
Notable stats: During the regular season, Daniels had two accepted penalties with one being for holding and the other a false start.

Notes: In two seasons with the Steelers, James Daniels has helped bring improvements to the offensive line and hold down the right guard position. Missing two games this past season with a groin injury, Daniels has been otherwise available. The biggest question with Daniels for 2024 is if it will be playing the last year of his contract or if the Steelers will sign him to an extension before the start of the season. Otherwise, look for number 78 to be right back in the same position for next season.

Mitch Trubisky

Position: Quarterback
Years with the Steelers: 2
Years in the NFL: 7
Contract Status: Released as a street free agent
Contract Details: Cost the Steelers $4,613,334 in dead money when released and saved $2,943,332.
Games played in 2023: 5 regular season
Games started in 2023: 2 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 202 (offense)
PFF score: 43.3 (DNQ for ranking)
Notable stats: During the regular season, Trubisky completed 67 of 107 passes for 632 yards with 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also had 2 rushing touchdowns.

Notes: The writing was on the wall with Mitch Trubisky when he was delegated to the third quarterback spot late in the season. With the Steelers losing every game in which Trubisky appeared in 2023, it just wasn’t working out. The fact the two sides decided to “mutually part ways” is of no surprise. This gives Trubisky the opportunity to sign with another team ahead of the new league year and it gives the Steelers at out with releasing a player with two years left on his contract which was signed last year and not taking a hit in the “doing a player wrong” category which could affect the signings of future free agents. With Trubisky now in the rear-view mirror with the Steelers, there’s really nothing more to talk about.

Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:

Broderick Jones & Chuks Okorafor
Joey Porter Jr. & Levi Wallace
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Rodney Williams
Nick Herbig & Markus Golden
Cory Trice Jr. & James Pierre
Spencer Anderson & Dylan Cook
Kenny Pickett & Mason Rudolph
George Pickens & Miles Boykin
DeMarvin Leal & Armon Watts
Calvin Austin III & Allen Robinson
Connor Heyward & Godwin Igwebuike
Mark Robinson & Blake Martinez
Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren
Pat Freiermuth & Diontae Johnson
Dan Moore Jr. & Mason Cole
Isaiahh Loudermilk & Larry Ogunjobi
Pressley Harvin & Christian Kuntz
Kwon Alexander & Mykal Walker
Miles Killebrew & Elijah Riley
Chandon Sullivan & Darius Rush
Cam Heyward & Patrick Peterson
Isaac Seumalo & Nate Herbig
Alex Highsmith & Kyron Johnson
Elandon Roberts & Cole Holcomb