The consensus view among pundits, analysts and fans is that it will be only a matter of time before Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin officially names free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky as his starting quarterback and the immediate successor to future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger, both first-round pick Kenny Pickett and career backup Mason Rudolph.
For now, though, Tomlin insists he’s putting together a legitimate summer competition between the three of them during training camp and preseason. Tomlin spoke to reporters Tuesday and offered some insight into how he intends to handle that battle.
“We’re not going to micromanage or overmanage this quarterback competition,” Tomlin explained. “The depth chart will not rest on every pitch. I know you’ll want to ask me every day and after every release, but we’re going to be a little more stable than that. I think it’s important from a leadership position.”
Pickett, a product of the Pittsburgh Panthers, came through spring training third on the depth chart and may have an uphill climb to unseat even Rudolph at No. 2. Tomlin discussed why he thinks the rookie doesn’t need to learn right away how to be an NFL leader as a QB1, assuming you’ll still be a spectator on Sundays throughout the fall months.
“I think when you’re 22, 23, 24 years old and you’ve played quarterback your whole life, you understand those informal responsibilities that come with the job,” Tomlin said. “I am more concerned with tangible things: accuracy, taking care of the ball and things of that nature. I don’t have any level of concern about those other things that are in his wheelhouse. I saw him do it to the side in terms of leading his guys and being what we need quarterbacks to be. I don’t think it’s a meaningful discussion.”
Pittsburgh also has seventh-round pick Chris Oladokun in the quarterback room, and his presence could allow the club to send Rudolph to a team that needs a late August or early September signal call.