Analyst says Steelers' Mitchell Trubisky will likely start over Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph

Mitchell Trubisky may not have already won the starting quarterback job for the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of July, but a majority of indications suggest he has an insurmountable lead over career backup Mason Rudolph and first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett in any supposed competition. 

It was reported last week that Pickett "has an uphill battle to unseat" Trubisky atop the depth chart, and multiple insiders later named Trubisky as the overwhelming favorite to win the gig. The Athletic's Mark Kaboly added his name to that list on Monday. 

"Unless Trubisky gets hurt or plays terribly in camp and the preseason, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where he doesn’t start the season as the No. 1," Kaboly wrote. "How long he stays there will depend on how he plays."

Kaboly added about the rookie: 

"That Pickett received only third-string reps in OTAs and minicamp was downplayed. It’s not a good indication of what the Steelers’ plan is with their first-round pick, at least early in the season. You won’t hear that from the Steelers, but getting NFL-ready with limited first-team reps in camp and three preseason games won’t track for Pickett to start anytime soon." 

Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and ESPN's Brooke Pryor both noted last week that the team could look to trade Rudolph during or after the preseason so that he can receive a legitimate opportunity to play elsewhere and also so that Pickett could enter September as the club's primary backup. Interestingly, Kaboly teased Rudolph could serve as more than just an arm in Pittsburgh's quarterback room this summer. 

"Many are writing off Rudolph, and he is very much in the middle of a numbers crunch at the position, but you have to wonder if the 2019 season scarred (Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin) and he’s willing to eat $3 million to have peace of mind at the most important position in sports," Kaboly explained. 

Tomlin admitted last week he is "excited about being uncomfortable" regarding his quarterback situation following the retirement of future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger. One wonders if he could feel enough discomfort to start Rudolph over both Trubisky and Pickett if they fail to impress during August exhibition games.