Analyst: Steelers' Mitchell Trubisky 'is QB1 with a bullet'

Those who have paid any attention to the situation shouldn't have been surprised when All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward essentially declared last week that free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky is an overwhelming favorite to officially be named the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trubisky is currently competing against first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett and career backup Mason Rudolph.

In fact, it was even said this past Monday that Pittsburgh's "real competition" at the position is between Pickett and Rudolph for the No. 2 gig.

The Steelers drafted Pickett 20th overall this past spring but allegedly won't rush the 24-year-old onto the field for meaningful game action until he's ready. For a Wednesday Pittsburgh Tribune-Review piece, Chris Adamski explained why the job may already be Trubisky's rather than his to lose. 

"Organized team activities and minicamp made it clear, however, Trubisky is QB1 with a bullet as training camp begins," Adamski noted. "Despite claims from coach Mike Tomlin that it would be an open competition, what took place over the summer was nothing of the such in regards to reps: Trubisky was entrenched as the first-team QB.

"Can that change during training camp? Not only had Pickett better impress, Trubisky also probably has to falter. And the reviews from the summer were seemingly all positive from coaches and teammates. Barring injury, it would be a shock if Trubisky isn’t starting when the regular season opens Sept. 11."

The Rudolph-Pickett backup battle may not be all that exciting to casual observers, but it could ultimately determine if the first-year pro will be a single hit or bad performance away from facing a live first-team defense this fall.