Buffalo Bills QB Mitch Trubisky finds his way home

In the spring, he returned to college. The 29-year-old quarterback was just one class away from graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“I just wanted to finish,” Trubisky told the Buffalo News. “I don’t know, ever since I had my son, I really wanted to tell him that I was going to graduate from college someday. But I know he’s only 2 — I actually took my final exam on his second birthday. So it was a busy day, but it was fun.”

After completing his physiology exam, he was officially graduated and back to work. A few months earlier, he had learned he would be returning to the Buffalo Bills, where he had already spent the 2021 season. Trubisky was thrilled to be back.

“It’s awesome,” Trubisky said. “I mean, I was away for two years, but I feel like it went by really quickly. But the fact that they want me back here and it feels like I’m coming home, I feel really comfortable.”

Trubisky, who was born and raised in Mentor, Ohio, spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, starting seven games and playing in 12. The former second overall pick of the Chicago Bears has seen it all in his NFL career.

Bills quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry believes that tough road has benefited Trubisky.

“The best thing about him is he’s had his ups and downs, and he doesn’t make excuses for the tough road he’s been on. I think he’s learned that the best lesson is to learn from your mistakes,” Curry said. “And I feel like he’s at a point in his career where he’s learned how to overcome adversity.”

Back in Buffalo, Trubisky will once again be Josh Allen’s backup. It’s a role he particularly enjoys.

During his last stint in Buffalo, Trubisky also spent a lot of time preparing the Bills defense for the opposing quarterback they would face each week. Trubisky took his scouting job very seriously, taking pride in the defense’s strong performance, knowing he had a hand in that preparation.

His role will be similar this time around, but some of the supporting cast members have changed.

Trubisky narrowly missed offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Brady came to the Bills in 2022 as quarterbacks coach before working his way up the ranks. Curry is new to the Bills. Quarterback Shane Buechele, who spent last season on the Bills’ practice squad, is also new to Trubisky. It’s been “a pleasure” working with Buechele, Trubisky said.

The receiving corps has been massively overhauled. Trubisky is excited to be reunited with veteran Mack Hollins, who he played with in college. But outside of Hollins, it’s all new faces. None of the 13 receivers currently on the roster were with the Bills in 2021.

“It’s a different team than the last time I was here, and it’s really exciting,” Trubisky said. “But I love being around this offense. I’ve learned a lot from these guys and these coaches, and being around young guys and trying to share as much wisdom as I can, talking to the receivers, running backs and tight ends.

“But I feel really comfortable. Like I said, it feels like home and I’m just excited to continue this process.”

The Bills’ hope, of course, is that Trubisky will only be on the field in blowout victories. Still, the Bills have faith in the veteran backup quarterback should something happen.

“I think he’s a great veteran. He’s smart. He’s got good football knowledge. The ball comes out of his hands quickly and he makes good decisions,” Curry said. “He’s a veteran who has a good presence in the room and he has a similar skill set to Josh. Josh is a 1-on-1, but (Trubisky) can work in the system like Josh because he’s mobile, he throws a good ball, he’s accurate, most of the time, and he trusts what he sees.”