Bills’ Trubisky wants to achieve positive rushing yards

Bills’ Trubisky wants to achieve positive rushing yards

It takes a deep dive into NFL rushing stats to find out what distinction Buffalo Bills backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky currently holds.

Minus-11 rushing yards on 13 carries.







Trubisky in the game (copy)

Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has a minus-11 yards rushing rating on 13 attempts, including this winless game against the 49ers on Dec. 1.


Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News


Last, 319th out of 319 players who had a rushing attempt this year.

“I’m aware of that,” Trubisky said after Wednesday’s viewing.

Trubisky, who is expected to replace Josh Allen at the start of New England’s regular-season finale on Sunday, has a two-pronged goal: beat the Patriots and maybe, just maybe, finish with positive rushing yards.

“That was one of Josh’s goals early on – if I go into games and we get winning scores and I end up with negative rushing yards, we’ve had a pretty good season,” Trubisky said. “I will take the victories with me.”

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Trubisky’s 12 knockdowns rounded out wins against Miami (first meeting), Jacksonville, Seattle, Indianapolis, San Francisco and the New York Jets (second meeting). His only real rushing attempt was unsuccessful against the 49ers.

Three years ago, during his first tour as Allen’s backup, Trubisky had 24 yards on 13 attempts. This year, he is one of 21 players with negative rushing yards; The next closest is Chicago backup quarterback Tyson Bagent (six carries for minus-7 yards).

“It’s the best game in football, but it adds up,” Trubisky said. “I have a chance to get rid of the (negative) rushing total this weekend.”

Allen said, “He’ll get a few yards, so he’ll be fine.”

Trubisky started 57 times in the regular season (29-21 record), but the opportunity to play most of the game this week is still a thrill.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “You prepare like you normally do and (take practice photos) to get the timing down with some of the guys I haven’t done reps with yet.”

It wasn’t shocking, but the Bills’ locker room was a festive place this week. The starters, who may still be playing or seeing limited action, were motivated so the younger guys could get playing time. The backups, knowing the Bills were only allowed two call-ups to the practice squad, took their iPads to their teammates’ lockers to watch video clips.

Trubisky gets his most significant opportunity since starting for Pittsburgh in November 2023 (30-13 loss).

“We just want to lead the guys, try to get a win and have fun doing it,” he said.

Fast kicks

1. Design preparations. Before the Dec. 29 game against New England, the Bills’ scouting team was on site for its annual December meetings. It was the first time the team had been together since training camp.

“It was all about the background (of prospects),” general manager Brandon Beane said. “How they got to school, where they were, what went well for them, their character, what the school says about them and what we know about (the player).” We share and compare these notes and try to get a picture about who the person is.

“Once we get that done, we keep the guys on (the roster) that we want, take away the guys that we don’t want, and from there we focus on the player’s ability.”


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2. Listening protocol. The Bills have seven players with two interceptions, tying the franchise record set in 1960 and 1964.

Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, Terrel Bernard and Austin Johnson all have two picks. Jordan Phillips and Cam Lewis each have one.

The Bills have had six players with at least two interceptions in 11 seasons, including 2023.

3. Look forward. Bills head coach Sean McDermott said several assistant coaches were assigned this week to prepare reports for the three potential wild-card round opponents (Denver, Cincinnati and Miami).

“(The assistants) do a lot, they really do,” McDermott said. “We have internal resources that will try to continue working throughout the season. They have this week-by-week list of who they break down, and they stay two, three, four weeks (in advance) and work around it throughout the season. At this time of year that gets thrown in the trash and you focus on potentially three teams we could play. These guys have the periscope out to make sure they’re looking ahead.”

4th fourth-down record. The Bills have converted 83.3% of their chances on fourth down this year, which is second all-time in NFL history (minimum 18 attempts), behind this year’s Washington Commanders (19 of 22, 86.4% ). New England has held the record since 2006 (80%, 16 of 20). Before this year, the Bills’ best mark with at least 18 attempts was 52.4% in 1999 (11 of 21).

5. Stay ready. Practice squad safety Kareem Jackson played 32 defensive/19 special teams snaps in the win over Detroit and eight special teams snaps in the win over New England. He has now played 205 games in the regular season and his goal is to be ready when he is called upon this weekend or in the playoffs.

“It’s always great to get out there and get your feet wet,” Jackson said. “I tell the boys all the time, ‘It’s like riding a bike.’ “You don’t forget, no matter how hard it was.” I’m sure you and I could both get on a bike and ride right now, and I haven’t been on a bike in years. It’s just a matter of staying ready and preparing like I’m going to play.”

6. Extra points. The Jets’ 16 penalties last week were the fourth most ever by a Bills opponent, bested only by 23 (San Francisco 1998), 20 (Jets 2013) and 18 (Miami 2005). The Jets actually won the game in 2013. … Alan Eck is refereeing in New England on Sunday, and the home team has won his team’s last six games. Eck covered the Bills’ 35-10 loss in Baltimore in Week 4 and New England’s 34-15 loss in Miami in Week 12. … What do the Bills’ Tyrell Shavers have in common with Baltimore’s Devontez Walker? They have one career catch (this year) and it resulted in a touchdown. … Bills quarterback Shane Buechele, injured all season (neck), said he has started lifting and throwing again. No surgery was required, but he has a final checkup with his doctor in Dallas after the season.

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