Steelers Quarterback Carousel Ends

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had quite the interesting offseason. In comparison to all other NFL teams, Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation was far and away the most monitored. After Ben Rothlisberger retired, the day the Steelers dreaded had finally arrived. With the hall of fame QB gone, there were massive shoes to fill for the 2022 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers wasted zero time acquiring new talent at the position. With previous backup Mason Rudolph already on the team, the signing of Mitchell Trubisky, and drafting of Kenny Pickett, a battle for the starting position had all but begun.

Trubisky (left), Pickett (middle), and Rudolph (right), all battle for the starting quarterback position

Meeting the Three Headed Monster

With three options for a potential starter, the Steelers had an important decision to make for week one. A familiar face in the NFL, but stranger to the Steelers, Mitchell Trubisky signed a two-year, $14.285 million contract in the offseason. After being drafted second overall by the Bears in 2017, Trubisky couldn’t live up to expectations. He turned four seasons with the bears into two playoff appearances, losing both in the Wild Card round. In 2021, the Bears declined Trubisky’s player option, making him a free agent. He was then signed by the Bills for the upcoming season to be Josh Allen’s backup. After not starting a single game for the Bills, Trubisky became a free agent in 2022, later signing with the Steelers.

Mason Rudolph, drafted in 2019 by the Steelers, is the quarterback whose been with the team the longest. In three seasons with the Steelers, he was always the backup/third string guy. In 2019, he was given a chance to start with Big Ben getting injured. He turned his eight starts into a 5-3 record, better than anticipated. However, after Big Ben had returned, Rudolph only came in during blowouts for the next two seasons. With Rothlisberger departing after the 2021 season, Rudolph was the only QB remaining, giving him hope at the starting job.

Lastly, there’s the Steelers first round pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Kenny Pickett. After an illustrious collegiate career at Pitt, Pickett was the only QB taken in the first round. Being the last quarterback to enter the Steelers franchise, Pickett knew he would have to show out during camp and preseason. Pickett did just that in the preseason, leading all quarterbacks in completion percentage and quarterback rating.

Tomlin Names Starting Quarterback

Once preseason concluded, there was still no starting quarterback announced by head coach Mike Tomlin. Fans had their suspicions, but the closure of a true named starter was all they craved. During Labor Day Weekend, the Steelers had made their final decision. Mitchell Trubisky had won the starting job for week one and was also named one of the offensive captains. As expected with Trubisky starting, Kenny Pickett was listed No. 2 on the depth chart. This leaves Rudolph as the third string, likely to not dress for games or be demoted to the practice squad. It’ll be an interesting season for the Steelers in 2022. The Bengals and Ravens are the two favorites to win the division, betting lines giving the Steelers really no chance. This season could begin the comeback story of Trubisky or be the beginning for Pickett.

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