Three’s Company…The NFL’s most active QB competition

By: Gabriel Ametrano

The post Ben Roethlisberger era in Pittsburgh has begun, and the search for #7’s replacement is off to a hot start.

The former #2 overall pick, Mitch Trubisky is seemingly in the driver's seat to win the week one starting job per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The North Carolina product signed a two year 14.28 million dollar contract with the Steelers this offseason that includes a 4 million dollar incentive if the Steelers make the playoffs and Mitch plays 80% of the team's snaps. The NVP hopes to return to his 2018 season form, where he led the Chicago Bears to 11 wins and 3 losses while throwing 3200 yards, on 66% accuracy with a 2:1 touchdown INT ratio. Trubisky carried a 95.4 QB rating that season, collecting an additional 420 yards and 3 touchdown’s on 68 rushing attempts en route to a Pro Bowl selection. His splits in that year were very similar to Kyler Murray’s 2021 campaign, although Kyler was slightly more efficient in the air. If Mitch takes the starting job in Pittsburgh, he will enter an offense that relies heavily on QB mobility and will have the opportunity to showcase why he was drafted at the top of his class.

Rookie Kenny Pickett is fighting for his spot atop the Steelers depth chart. Pickett was drafted out of the University of Pittsburgh where he spent five years playing on the same field the Steelers call home. Pickett finished his career as the University of Pitt's all-time leader in passing yards (12,303), pass completions (1,045), total offense (13,112), touchdown responsibility (102) and passing touchdowns (81)...he has the most 300-yard passing games (16) and 400-yard passing games (five) in Pitt history. Yinzers have high hopes for Pickett, and he was greeted with a warm welcome by the Steeler faithful in his preseason debut where he went 13/15 for 95 yards and two touchdowns, including the winning score on the final drive. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was taking it easy on Pickett in his NFL debut, keeping all his passes short and easy. The Steelers take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 20th where we should see Tomlin open up the playbook for Pickett a little more and get a better glimpse of his future in the NFL and his position on the Steelers depth chart.

Lastly, we have Mason Rudolph. Known for his infamous scuffle with Browns DE Myles Garret back in November of 2019, Rudolph has done little else to make a name for himself in the NFL. Averaging a more than serviceable 236 passing yards per game, Rudolph’s issues come with maintaining a flow to the offense due to his subpar accuracy and limited mobility. There has been some chatter about Rudolph taking the starting job, as he continues to work well with the second and first team offense and even put together a good outing in Saturday’s preseason bout against the Seahawks posting a 9/15 line with 93 yards and a beautiful touchdown toss to rookie George Pickens; but Steelers fans would throw an outrage if this is the case, as Rudolph is far from a fan favorite after throwing shade at the beloved Ben Roethlisberger’s leadership ability and tying the Detroit Lions last season.