As one of the teams without a surefire Week 1 starter at the quarterback position, the Steelers are, naturally, receiving attention with respect to their competition at that spot. That makes the question of which signal-caller would receive first-team reps an important one as OTAs get underway. 
[RELATED: Poll: Which Rookie QB Makes Most Starts?]
As detailed by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the answer to that question is Mitch Trubisky. That comes as little surprise, given the multi-year deal he signed in free agency, as the team began its multi-pronged search for Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. The former No. 2 pick has the potential to be a starter once again, after attempting just eight passes as Josh Allen‘s backup in Buffalo last year.
The news that Trubisky is in pole position for the No. 1 job, albeit early on in the offseason, comes after a report Breer made earlier this month that first-rounder Kenny Pickett would have the opportunity to become the starter right away. The Heisman finalist was the only QB taken on Day 1, universally seen as the most NFL-ready prospect in a generally underwhelming class. That may make him the favorite to see the most playing time amongst rookies this year, but Pittsburgh’s situation at the position could remain unsettled into the fall.
Meanwhile, Mark Kaboly of the Athletic adds that incumbent Mason Rudolph “feels he has a legitimate chance” of beating out the two arrivals for the starting role. The 2018 third-rounder has 10 starts to his name, although only two of them have come since 2019. He is still most likely destined to remain a backup or No. 3 on the depth chart, but with uncertainties surrounding his other competitors, the door is still open for him to win the job this summer.
Like in Seattle, the identities of the contenders for the top QB spot are known, but the order in which they will appear on the depth chart remains up in the air to a greater extent than arguably anywhere else. Without the addition of Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield looming, of course, the forthcoming competition in the Steel City will be strictly internal, but intriguing nevertheless.
Literally one of the least informative articles that’s ever been posted
Don’t blame PFR for that.
Mark Kaboly is the most useless beat writer I have ever seen in any sport.
If his articles were papers written by 5th graders, he’d get a D every time. Basic spelling, punctuation and grammar errors abound. Sentences start in one tense and end in another. Sentences start with one thought that never gets completed and the same sentence ends with a thought completely unconnected to the start of the sentence.
Meanwhile, his “partner” at the Athletic’s Steeler beat is one of the best beat writers ever, a HOF’er in Ed Bouchette….who writes like an adult.
Bouchette recently retired I believe. I enjoyed him when he was with the Post Gazette, but he seemed to get more cantankerous and hostile every year after he left. Ed’s writing ability, however, is unquestionably good. Kaboly… meh. I miss Gene Collier and even Bob Smizik.
Did he JUST retire? I read his stuff before the draft.
But, I did just look and nothing from him lately.
I seem to remember seeing something within the past month or 2 about him retiring, yes. Maybe a mention on Steelers Depot. The impression I got was that many players are not going to miss him either… but he wasn’t there to make friends, and like you said he is an outstanding writer.
Bouchette retired in early May. Just announced it suddenly and said the next day would be his last. I think he didn’t want it to be a big deal.
Wonder if it was for health reasons or was Bouchette another victim of The Athletic’s aggressively woke staffing (at the junior and mid-tier positions of course)?
Yeah he retired right after the draft, the same week Guy Junker left channel 4
Wow didn’t know Guy left, thank you; I could take or leave Guy but he’s been there forever.
Yeah. Gene Collier is still a gem and I liked Bouchette before he went to The Athletic. I liked the writing of Smizik but found him to be smug in interviews. And I guess I can say the same about Madden and Zeise
My favorite writer—a guy I knew pretty well—was Bruce Keidan. Always provided great insights. He left this mortal coil a while back
I remember Bruce Keidan well, but for a very different reason…. (pardon the upcoming long post)
I went to summer camp with his son when we were I’d guess around 5th grade or so, and I got into a fight with that son. Bruce, whom I’d never met, then approached me a couple days later, and basically told me to stay the hell away from his kid if I knew what was good for me. I was a quiet and not at all self-confident kid, and this scared the heck out of me. I eventually told my Dad, who may or may not have gone down to the Post-Gazette offices to confront Bruce… they were acquainted and worked near each other, and I heard from others that my Dad did indeed go there. My Dad was not the fighting kind, but he also didn’t back down from many if anyone… I never found out, as my Dad has likewise left us.
As you can guess, my memories of Bruce were a bit jaded… but now that I’m an adult, I don’t hold any I’ll will towards anyone in the Keidan family. And although Steeler players did not like him (his nickname was “Hang the Noose Bruce” per Myron Cope, because of Bruce’s tendency to ask negative questions), Keidan was an excellent writer for sure.
Wow. Incredible story. Professionally speaking, I never saw that side of him
Good for your dad. I’d have done the same thing
I also give you one Robert Rossi for consideration
Good call, but while I dislike Rossi more than Kaboly, but Rossi could at least pass 5th grade English.
Not true. I learned that Trubisky worked with the first team at OTAs.
Now, The rest of the article… clearly meeting a word minimum.
Be nice!
What a weak field
They aren’t an imposing group, to be sure. However I’m reasonably sure that none of them are facing a lengthy league suspension, so there’s that.
I have no doubt that either Trubisky or Pickett will be an upgrade over the Roethlisberger of the past 2-3 years. That is, if they are able to see the whole field and their feet aren’t stuck in cement. And this precludes Rudolph in my book, for those very reasons
That “weak field” comment is kind of humorous. You have Najee. You have Muth. I believe the new wide outs are going to be very good. If the O-line is a major upgrade, you don’t need a Mahomes back there (although it would be nice). You just need a competent QB
Harris barely averaged 4 yards a carry. Trubisky isn’t any good. It’s not a terrible team but talent wise, they’re 4th in the division
Harris often got the ball and a defensive lineman in his face at the same time. That he even averaged that was incredible. The kid is an elite back and that he didn’t get maimed last year was remarkable.
It’s a 3 team race in the North
And the Steelers are the out team
no the browns are by far the worst once deshaun gets suspended
Bengals could also fall apart being a one-trick pony on a hot run
You obviously don’t understand talent. Bengals are going no where but a deep playoff run. That team is very very good. Steelers are clear odd team out. Not even close. Division will end Bengals, Ravens , Browns , Steelers – in that order.
Lots of things went right for the Bengals last year. They’ll be good as long as they stay fairly healthy. Last year they were very healthy and had few covid loses. Browns and Ravens were killed by injuries and covid cases. Bengals also played a last place schedule and will play a 1st place schedule this year. 9-8 or 10-7. I think talent wise, the Browns have the most. Best backfield. Best offensive line. Ravens and Browns tied for defensive backs. Browns and Steelers tied for defensive ends. Bengals Best wide receivers. Browns lack wide receivers and kicking game.
That’s a good point. The Bengals are a very good team but it’s amazing they advanced to the Super Bowl after giving up nine sacks to the Titans.
A tough division at this point. Browns are the weakest, with an uncertain situation at QB and Amari Cooper leading their receiver room. Steelers need a bit of luck at QB. Given the group, I’d put my money on Pickett starting by mid-season. Trubisky is high end backup material, Mason Rudolph is ordinary backup material.
Watson will miss 4-6 games. Baker, although injured, was the 26th rated quarterback last year. They were very injured last year and I think Brissett will play as well as Mayfield did last year. Browns have a very easy early schedule
Yeah. You said as much last year when it was going to be a two team race. What happens when Watson can’t play for a few games?
First games are Panthers, Steelers, Jets and Falcons. I think the Browns can win those without Watson. They had the 5th rated defense last year and should be as good, if not better with better health. They have the best running game in the league. Brissett doesn’t throw picks like Baker.
THEEEE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Love how the Browns mortgaged their future for a guy who can’t keep it in his pants and still have to pay the other QB a chunk to go play somewhere else. They go thru QBs more than underwear changes.
He can’t keep it under the towel apparently. As for mortgaging the future, with Watson playing, the Browns are probably going to be drafting anywhere from 22-32 for the years where Cleveland has no 1st round pick. You generally aren’t getting can’t miss guys then. When you get a chance to get a quarterback like Watson, you do. Last 2 Super Bowl winners got a veteran quarterback and won it right now. Browns were missing a quarterback and now they have one
It’s going to be a very interesting race. There aren’t any bad teams, but other than maybe the Bengals, there aren’t any great ones either. Cincy was great last year, but they still have to convince me that they’re here to stay (I think they are, to be honest, but I still want to see it). The Ravens have really improved some areas, and clearly aren’t as good in others as before, but the biggest thing they need is just health. The Browns are immensely talented in most areas, but the potential Watson suspension will be a huge factor, and I wonder about their overall team maturity sometimes.
And my Steelers… well, they’re getting written off by many. Maybe deservedly so. But they just had the most active and potentially best free agency period ever (a low bar to clear, to be sure). They’ve got a lot of young guys who endured trial by fire last year. And like him or not, Mike Tomlin knows how to get every ounce of motivation and effort out of his teams. I can easily see the Steelers in last, but I can also easily see them in the playoffs. It just depends on if all of the new parts click together sooner or later.
I’m hoping they aren’t quite done with linemen signings, on both sides of the ball. They’ve been linked to a few guys so let’s hope
I’d love to see Darryl Williams become a Steeler. Solid, competent guy at multiple positions. I keep hearing Eric Fisher’s name but feel like his best years were 2-3 years ago, plus I keep remembering how James Harrison would absolutely abuse Fisher when he was a Bengal even in Fisher’s best days.
The Steelers should sign Tretter. I don’t know if they signed a center yet but the dude last year was atrocious
They signed Mason Cole, formerly of the Vikings, to play center. James Daniels, who they signed to start at guard (and who is really good) can also play center.
It looks like last year’s center, Kendrick Green, is going to move to compete at guard, which was his primary college position. I really don’t blame Green too much for last season. He was atrocious, but he was thrust into the lineup at a position he’d barely played way before he was ready, and they had no good backup plan. That isn’t the case this year: a lot more quality, a lot more depth, and a lot more experience on the O-line.
the same ppl who wanted the steelers to tank for Kenny P,
are pretty much the same ones saying we reached at 20
lol
Mason Rudolph will be lucky to make the practice squad this season. He had his shots over the last three years and proved he isn’t an NFL starter (as he won 50% of his games on a team that otherwise won 60%).
I pretty much agree. He’s perfectly acceptable as a #2 but should not be anyone’s starter by choice. I fully expect the Steelers to quietly shop Rudolph around during training camp. And I can see Rudolph quietly asking to be traded or dealt if he ends up as the #3 guy, which is what I think will happen.
Trubisky’s cap is fine this year (about $3.5 million) but 2023 is awful for a backup at over $10 million. Rudolph is a steady $4 million/year guy. If Pritchett is ready, it would make more sense to keep Rudolph behind him.
Is Pritchertt likely to be durable?