It’s been assumed that the Steelers would roll with Mitchell Trubisky as their starting quarterback before eventually handing over the reins to rookie Kenny Pickett. However, head coach Mike Tomlin suggested that the team is still evaluating their options when it comes to the QB1. As ESPN’s Brooke Pryor tweets, Tomlin said that this upcoming week’s practices will determine a number of spots on the roster, including the “starting quarterback position.”
As Mark Kaboly of The Athletic wrote last week, the Steelers have had a focused plan as they guide their rookie quarterback up the depth chart. While Pickett had a standout performance as the third quarterback in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener, his promotion to QB2 wasn’t attributed to his performance…it was attributed to the strict roadmap created by Tomlin, offensive coordinator Matt Canada, and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan.
“Yeah, we’ve got a system in place,” Canada told Kaboly. “Coach, we’ve had this thing mapped out since I don’t know when. We’ll continue to stay right on our plan and see where it goes.”
Many assumed the plan would see Trubisky starting at least a handful of games, especially since the veteran has exclusively taken first-team snaps in practices. The thing is, the quarterback plan hasn’t been communicated to anyone outside of Tomlin/Canada/Sullivan, with third QB Mason Rudolph even admitting that he knows “nothing about that process of what they are looking for.” So, while Trubisky was the assumed starter, the coaching staff may have always intended to have Pickett under center for Week 1.
Speaking of Rudolph, it’s clear that the 27-year-old is the third QB on the depth chart, and it remains to be seen if he’ll stick around for the start of the season. Kaboly recently wrote about the situation, noting that the Steelers haven’t actively shopped Rudolph…but they also haven’t received any calls. The writer opines that it makes more sense to keep Rudolph around as insurance, and the front office could recoup a compensatory pick when he inevitably leaves after the season. The Steelers also have Chris Oladokun around, but despite his seventh-round status, there’s a better chance he lands on the practice squad.
If I’m slated to be the third qb… I’d take the practice squad designation. Least you feel like a part of a team and getting the reps against the defense to show what they might see in the upcoming game gives a lot of teaching moments. I’d crave that part if I’m not gonna see the field right away
Bad take. Far less $ and of course you want to be on the roster. You would be cut with that thought process.
Just keep Rudolph on the roster to rile up Myles Garrett. Throw him out there, see what happens. Maybe he gets tossed and you suddenly have a better chance against the Browns. Just an idea.
Garrett, who attacked a man with his helmet and lied about the use of a racial slur. Fittingly the NFL makes him an NFL Man of the Year finalist.
Browns should trade for Rudolph to back up Brissett while Watson is out.
As much as I don’t like Rudolph, he’s the only QB on the staff with previous experience in this offense. He knows the playbook. He’s worth having around IMO.
I know all the words to all my favorite band’s songs. Doesn’t make me a rockstar.
putting you on spot… who is your favorite band?
And his experience with the playbook hasn’t exactly worked out well. May as well have one of the others give it a try and learn – they may have better results.
How many games will Trubisky start? I predict 3.
I don’t think it’s a good thing when all your quarterbacks on your roster are fighting for the starting job. Do you have 3 starters or do you have 3 backups? I’m thinking you have 3 backups
It’s not an ideal situation but if you can squeeze just 3 wins from each of those guys you probably get to the post season. Most teams go through this process eventually relying on a run game and defense to keep them afloat until a true long term starter arrives.
With a porous offensive line you get Najee killed
Really only about the two guys. Trubisky is the starter until they deem Pickett ready. Rudolph is just a country club clipboard holder. You could replace him with an actor and no one would ever know the difference.
If they win with Trubisky, Pickett will be holding a clipboard.
Hard to win with a backup quarterback but that’s what August is for. Dreams for all 32 teams I think the Steelers will win about 7 games and fight the Browns for last place
That’s not how you win in the NFL now. Basically if you have 3 quarterbacks, you really don’t have any. None of these quarterbacks could start for 29 other teams in the league. Tomlin is a great coach but Pittsburgh looks to have major offensive line issues
Two comments with the same cliche and still zero actual facts being used to form an opinion.
You’d be a natural for politics.
You just agreed with me in a comment below about the line being bad. As for facts, who would these guys be able to start for? I have nothing against the Steelers, I’m an NFC guy, I’m just keeping it real. I admire you Steeler fans that try and keep the faith but it looks bad at the quarterback and offensive line this season
What are you talking about? none of these qbs would start on 29 other teams… WHAT??!
there are at least 5 teams out there that would upgrade with Trubisky at QB over what they have now…
also, Pickett is NFL ready, but why throw him to the wolves right away when you don’t need to. stick to the NFC please lol
What are the teams. I say Seattle, Atlanta and the Browns for the first 11 games. I actually think Trubisky is better than Wilson for the Jets and Fields for the Bears but he would not start over them. It amazes me how anyone can watch a guy who is facing 2nd string defenses playing a vanilla defense and deem him NFL ready.
This is no different than when the Steelers had drafted Big Ben.
Except the Steelers had a much better offensive line and didn’t have the worst defense against the run.
This is true, but back then they only had Ward for offense.
Unless you got something decent for him, keeping Rudolph as insurance is the move.
That line is bad. You might need all 3.
Also, because that line is bad, the move is probably to let Trubisky start, see what happens and go from there.
Don’t let Pickett become the next RG3. But, he’s looked great. If his arm gets 10% stronger, they will have found a steal at #20.
It’s still preseason. Vanilla defenses. All rookies have the physical talents but it becomes the mental of reading defenses and handling blitzes. It’s a completely different game. Not saying he won’t be good but don’t base anything a rookie does in preseason
Had you watched him actually play, instead of spitting out cliches, you’d understand that the mental game is his best asset.
The question is arm strength and being able to make all the throws.
Between that and the line, letting him red shirt for a while makes sense.
Trubisky can scramble, that much is clear. See how long he can stay upright.
But, Pickett is the best QB on the roster today and looks to have a bright future.
And…all 3 are playing better than Ben last year.
Against college guys? He played in a somewhat weak conference. Jack Coan from Notre Dame is known as a cerebral quarterback and set records at Notre Dame in one season. Like I said, I admire your dedication to the Steelers but 31 other teams didn’t think he was worth a 1st round draft pick.
I have to wonder if your “other account” here is Brownsbacker. You sound just like him with the contrarian viewpoints that come from the far reaches of left field
I’m a little confused by this one, though. If a QB doesn’t excel “against college guys,” just what is your measuring stick where ability is concerned? (And save the Tom Brady references)
You keep pounding the “31 other teams” line when in actuality, most teams have franchise quarterbacks in place and only Carolina, ahead of the Steelers in draft order, needed a QB
Sheesh.
I’m an NFC guy but I’m close enough to Pittsburgh to know about them. I guess you can guess who I root for. It’s definitely not the Browns but I’m not a Browns hater and have actually found myself rooting for them to quiet my Steeler buddies. We do have the last Super Bowl win
I’m a Penguins fan. I am just as happy if the Steelers win or lose.
But, I know what I’ve seen…and most importantly…I have actually watched it.
My favorite Penguin was Ron Jaworski.
Unlike many QBs that come out of college save for the major program variety, I had this belief Pickett was in the mold of Burrow after watching the kid put the work in an improve each year. Nothing I’ve seen in preseason has dissuaded me from that belief
Yeah, the O-line is porous but given the choice, I start the kid.
No doubt that he’s the real deal
The only caveat here is the schedule. There is something to be said about Mike Hilton’s comment about confidence when they are playing top tier teams all season and the QB may be running for his life and absorbing hits. Maybe this why you begin with Trubisky
The O-line is bad and let’s face it, the D-line is still giving up big runs. With a hole at ILB and an iffy secondary, it’s hard to see them winning more than 6 games
Then why aren’t you a scout old dude? 31 other teams didn’t believe that Pickett is the next Joe Burrow. Do you know how ridiculous your statement is after 2 preseason games against backups playing a vanilla defense. There are countless examples of quarterbacks who excelled in preseason only to not make it. Lets me realistic and say time will tell. I don’t know if he’ll be any good and I don’t know if he’ll be terrible either and neither do you.
You must have missed my opening comment. Having watched the kid at Pitt, none of this was a surprise.
Your comment about 31 other teams is laughable for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that Carolina was essentially the only team ahead of the Steelers in draft order who “needed” a QB
Meanwhile, most of the teams after that position already has franchise QB’s, which precluded their need to trade up
I don’t believe I’ve ever said Pickett will be a top 5 QB in this league but rather, that he’s the real deal. Whether he immediately vaults into the stratosphere depends on many factors like his protection and his line. Of course “only time will tell”
After all, “only time will tell” if
Burrows, Herbert, Lamar and others can sustain success, no? But thanks for the snappy reply
You seem a little defensive, No Politics, a little angry
I’m rooting for the kid, as many of us are. Shame that seems to bother you
You can root for the kid but let’s be honest about it. If he doesn’t play for the Steelers you wouldn’t be playing him up and bragging about what he’s doing in preseason games against vanilla backups. Desmond Ritter looks great too. Are you willing to say he’s a can’t miss? I commend your homerism, but let the guy play in a real game against a 1st string defense before anointing him
You’re a bit confused. I liked Burrow coming out of college and you’ll remember the hilarious questions about his hand size. I liked Herbert even though they questioned PAC 10 competitiveness. I even thought that New England taking Jones was a steal
I’m not a Pitt fan by any means but there was no doubt in my mind that Pickett could start in the NFL, somewhere and someday
That’s the only point
I agree 100% with your thoughts about him playing in real settings.
All I’ve said is that none of what has transpired is a surprise to me. And it won’t surprise me if he has a great career
Like you, I can’t see them winning more than 6 or 7 games. I’m shocked that the lines on both sides of the ball are so deficient. But there are a lot of reasons to see upside here for the future. QB is one of them
I think any team that drafts a quarterback in the 1st round believes in the upside. That’s normal. You gotta remember that Trubisky also had a lot of upside as did a ton of other guys. Nobody really knows about #1 picks, let alone #20
Hey Ben Levine, you continue to use Kaboly’s pieces on these articles.
Why?
How many times does the guy have to be so inaccurate before you guys stop using him?
Go back and look to see if you don’t believe me.
There had been no less than 3 instances where he writes his article, and shortly after, his main points end up being completely wrong.
I don’t know how the athletic still employs the bum.
Don’t be surprised if something comes out saying he IS being shopped and that he’s traded.
Agreed. Kaboly is a joke.
Nobody is signing Rudolph next yr to a contract that would net a comp pick lol
At this point, I would not be putting Pickett behind that picket fence of an offensive line.
Rudolph had his chance in 2019 and under-performed. He’s lucky to still be on the roster.