As Pittsburgh rolls into the post-Roethlisberger era, they are in the less than common situation of having four drafted quarterbacks on the roster. Mind you, the Steelers did not originally draft Mitchell Trubisky, but the point is that while most teams’ third- and/or fourth-string quarterbacks tend to be undrafted long-shots, every quarterback on Pittsburgh’s roster had draft capital invested in them. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic gave a breakdown this weekend of where each of these quarterbacks has slotted through spring practices. 
Pittsburgh acquired Trubisky in free agency this offseason after also considering then-free agents Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston. Despite the hole left behind center, the Steelers never seemed to consider trade options such as Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo and made it known early that they were not going to acquire Deshaun Watson. Trubisky signed a reasonable two-year deal to compete for the starting job in Pittsburgh after spending last season as Josh Allen‘s backup in Buffalo.
Trubisky saw all of his work this spring come with the first-team offense, throwing almost solely to Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Pat Freiermuth. Not only did he only work with the first-team, he was the only quarterback to work with the first-team receivers and offensive line combination. Trubisky appears to be a good fit with offensive coordinator Matt Canada‘s motion-heavy offense. Regardless of whether or not this is a clear indication of who will start Week 1, Trubisky is in the mindset that he will win the job saying, “I’m preparing to be a starter. I feel like, no matter what position you’re in, that’s the way you should prepare.”
The quarterback taking snaps with the second-team is not who most would assume. Third-year Steeler Mason Rudolph is currently the second-string quarterback. The former third-round draft pick has started 10 games over his career (eight in his rookie season) with limited success. Despite the potential for him to settle in as someone who had their chance and watched it pass by, Rudolph reportedly “looked the best of the four quarterbacks” this spring. Rudolph is a meticulous worker and preparer and threw the most consistent ball with the biggest body in the group. While many considered him to be nothing more than a camp body, Rudolph put himself in the quarterback conversation, even if it will require some failures from Trubisky and Pickett to get him to the top of the depth chart. “This is the best opportunity I’ve had in four years,” Rudolph told Kaboly. “I am excited, and I look forward to competing.”
Working as the third-string quarterback this spring has been rookie first-round pick Kenny Pickett. Head coach Mike Tomlin and Canada both offered that their current snap distribution is based solely on seniority, with Pickett falling behind Trubisky and Rudolph despite the possibility that he may be the most talented of the bunch. The idea is for Pickett to take the time this spring “to learn how to be a pro,” getting comfortable with the scheme and playbook now so that he can focus on competing for his depth chart spot in the summer. Luckily for Pickett, he has a bit of a leg up in terms of the language of the playbook with some familiarity from the time Canada recruited Pickett to Pitt. Pickett didn’t have too many snaps fewer than Trubisky or Rudolph, but his third-string status had him throwing to a very different receiver group. Pickett said he was “trying to be the best pro (he) can be,” calling this spring “100 percent successful.”
Lastly on the roster is rookie seventh-round draft pick Chris Oladokun. Oladokun transferred from South Florida to Samford to South Dakota State throughout his college career, spending that whole time outside of consistent Power 5 football. According to Kaboly, it showed, as Oladokun “looked like a guy who didn’t get many reps and came from a small college.” Oladokun is a project and his dearth of playing time reflected that, with Oladokun pointing out the importance of staying “locked in” mentally. The benefit of Oladokun’s lowly roster status is that he gets plenty of exclusive time working with David Corley, the assistant to quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan. Whether or not Oladokun ever competes for starting snaps in Pittsburgh, his dedicated time with Corley will foster benefits throughout the future of his career.
For now, the spring depth chart reflects the level of experience, just as Tomlin and Canada have intended. Based on the amount of time Trubisky has had with the first-team, it’s hard to imagine anyone else starting behind center in Week 1 at Cincinnati. Though, with Rudolph coming into his own and the talented rookie, Pickett, hot on their heels, it’s anyone’s guess who the Bengals will face in their season opener.
Not a good sign for Pittsburgh when Rudolph looks the best so far
At least we know that barring injuries, these guys will show up when the season starts. Can you say the same about Deshaun “it feels stiff here” Watson?
That’s the best you have?
This argument needs a happy ending.
It will get a happy ending and this time Watson will be giving it to all Browns fans. Nothing wrong with being happy
Watson’s converting to receiver?
Panther fan? Haha. Good luck with that
Rudolph is the only one who’s been in Matt Canada’s offense before. Of course he’s going to look more comfortable in the early going.
Bingo
Rudolph.. isn’t that the guy who beat the browns and triggered their p**sy linebacker?
The Browns won that game. And he’s a DE. You gotta admit Rudolph is terrible
I do and so does everyone else in the Burgh,
just not entertaining the idea that he’s the favorite for the QB job..
Baker wouldn’t even be a lock to win the QB job
60% chance Mitch starts 17 games this year and Steelers finish above browns
Only if Watson misses the entire season. With Watson, Browns have the most overall talent in the division. Them and Baltimore. Cincinnati is 3rd and Pittsburgh is last
even if Watson only misses 8 games, the browns are toast
if he’s suspended 2-4 games they’ll be good, but what are the chances that happens? almost zilch
maybe 2-4 games in 2023 is what you should be anticipating
Their first 4 games are against the Panthers, Jets, Falcons and Steelers. Brissett and the running game and defense can win all 4. Go 2-2 in the next 4 and have Watson go 5-3 in the final 8. That’s 11 wins. Even if they stumble they’ll win 9. Pittsburgh can’t stop the run. Can’t run the ball effectively. I don’t even think Harris averaged 4 yards per carry. That’s pathetic. Pickett and Trubisky isn’t carrying the team. 5 wins…..maybe
I said they’re fine if he misses 4 games..
if Watson misses 8 games their toast
and it’s interesting that despite all you say, the steelers made the playoffs last year with a non factor at QB, while the browns weren’t even in conversation for playoffs last season.
as someone who experienced their team being in the playoff hunt, it was the Ravens who were competition and the Browns who were an easy win and laughing stock of division.
Where did Cincinnati finish last year? They look better than the dumb Browns! The only thing the Browns has is a running game.
They finished 5th in total defense. Watson will play at some point this year. He has a career 104 QBR. Career. He led the league in passing his last year playing. Without Hopkins. Without a top offensive line. Without a top running game. Think of what he can do with Cleveland. Wow!!!
probably because teams didn’t have to put up a lot of points to beat the browns.
they were insanely easy to run on ..
for someone who’s boasted the browns defense and talked down on Najee in the same conversation,
it’s pretty ironic that Najee ran for almost 300 yards against the Browns last season
And 400 for the rest of the teams. Joe Burrow has yet to beat the Browns but I’d rather have the Browns in the Super Bowl. I think you know that the Steelers are in for some last place finishing for awhile. Most people know that
I think you’re in extreme denial that the Browns will finish any higher than dead last if Watson misses time.
I also think you’re being unrealistic if you think there’s more than a 10% chance Watson plays a single game in the 2022 season.
And shutdown corners.
Rudolph is a UFA next year. He will be gone. He’s number 2 now because he’s more ready to sub if Trubisky gets hurt. Next year, or possibly late this year, Pickett moves to #2.
@ C Yards Jeff: I think your basic premise is correct, but I don’t think Rudolph is a Steeler past August if Pickett shows them anything at all in camp. If Pickett isn’t ready to be active on game days yet, hey not the end of the world, and Rudolph sticks around as number 2. But I think best case scenarios for both Mason and the Steelers are that Pittsburgh finds a QB needy team during camp and trades Rudolph for a late round draft pick.
Monkey’s Uncle: I feel ya! I’m a little leary about throwing Pickett in “to the fire” that early. But to your point, if he’s ready, definitely do it. The one catch: is there a team out there that would want Rudolph and his contract? Hope so. I believe his cap hit is 4 mil?
When Trubisky, Pickett and Rudolph take the field, they’ll walk past 6 Lombardis.
When Jacoby Brissett takes the field, Watson will be on his couch browsing Craigslist on his phone.
I don’t care about the history. The Reds were the best team of all time in 75 and 76. Now, they have the worst record. Steelers will be hurting until they get a quarterback and an offensive line
You don’t care about history because the Brown’s have none. The whole point of winning is to create history, not witness it like the Browns so often do.
I live in the now. How does that great Bears defense of 85 look now? The Browns actually have a strong history albeit before the Super Bowl era but hey, history is history.
You mean the Ravens have a strong history.
I didn’t know Jim Brown played for Baltimore…or Peyton Manning. Your arguments get crazier every day. Of course Bill Belinchek is a Browns HOF head coach
Of course Bill Belinchek is.
The Ravens have banners.
I guess that means the Browns have banners then since the Ravens are the Browns. I’m feeling better already
Ravens – 2 banners.
Browns – 0 banners.
But factual inaccuracies are always there to comfort you if you like.
You told me that the Ravens are the Browns. You’re not making any sense. Honestly I don’t have an issue with the Ravens. I think they’re the best team in the division when healthy.
Go back and read and see I did not.
I compared the Lombardis. In the modern era.
You bragged about stuff that happened before the merger AND the first moon landing.
BEFORE THE FIRST MOON LANDING.
If that hangs your hat…
History is History. You think it matters to Seattle and Carolina and Atlanta that has been in a Super Bowl in the last 6 years? They are the 3 worst teams in the league and they will remain that way for awhile
If success doesn’t matter….I guess….? Go to Super Bowls is the point, you know?
Very Browns mentality.
The Browns always lose so you don’t understand the difference.
I live in the now. The Browns future has never looked better since they came back in 1999. You can always watch Videos of a young Big Ben from years ago because Pittsburgh isn’t winning anything for a long time. You don’t win without a good quarterback and they don’t have one
I don’t care if the Steelers win or lose.
You “live” through the HOPE that a clown franchise will ride a serial rapist to…not losing as much as they used to.
Good luck with that.
Serial rapist? The guy has never even been arrested. I wouldn’t care if I were you about whether the Steelers win or lose. Less disappointment that way. Woof woof. Here we go Brownies here we go
“You “live” through the HOPE that a clown franchise will ride a serial rapist to…not losing as much as they used to.”
I like that serial rapist is the only thing you take umbrage with in that statement, knowing the rest is obviously true.
You “live” through the HOPE that a clown franchise will ride an accused serial rapist to…not losing as much as they used to.
There you go.
Of course you care about the Steelers and the Pirates. You also like the Ice Capades. To have Josh Bell as your name means you’re a fan. You love the Steelers too or you wouldn’t be on here
PHR didn’t exist when I created the name and before baseball was ruined by TTO.
Meanwhile you’re like, “PLEEAAAASE, Deshaun, I don’t care what you do to women, just help us lose in an AFC Championship game…even ONCE!!!”
They actually lost in the AFC championship game in 85,86 and 89. Deshaun says he didn’t do it and the women have to prove it. We shall see
Did you previously bash the idea of living in the past and then reach back to 85, 86 and 89?
“Losing to Elway was the glory days!!!”
Just correcting you as I always do. Are the Penguins still playing in the Ice Capades? I bet you love figure skating too
There is no correction here. You have merely confirmed that you held both sides of a given position.
Unlike the Browns, who only know the losing position at the end of each season.
So, you have that going for you.
Rudolph: “This is the best opportunity I’ve had in four years”.
No dude. You’ve had plenty of opportunities over the last three years. You just didn’t have the talent to beat out a dead-armed 39 year old…
So true.
Or a guy named “Duck” who is probably stocking shelves overnight at a grocery store right now.
Dude couldn’t beat the Lions.
Also, people should understand that Kaboly has been pushing the “don’t forget about Rudolph” stuff for months, so him declaring that Rudolph looks the best should be taken with lots of salt.