QB position named biggest 'summer concern' for Steelers

Much has been said and written about who the Pittsburgh Steelers should and will start at quarterback for Week 1 in September between veteran Mitchell Trubisky and first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett (apologies to Mason Rudolph), and the debate will only intensify if Pickett looks even halfway decent during August preseason games. 

One thing everybody seemingly can agree on before training camps open later this month is that the Steelers currently have more questions than answers regarding the sport's most important position. 

Pro Football Focus recently named Pittsburgh's quarterback situation as the club's "biggest weakness." Meanwhile, The Athletic's Mark Kaboly explained this week that he views the upcoming competition between Trubisky and Pickett as the Steelers' top "summer concern." 

"The Steelers have more than one concern. Depth at defensive line, talent at cornerback, the health of their inside linebackers, doing enough to upgrade the offensive line and whether offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s college-style motion offense is translatable to the NFL are high on the list," Kaboly noted. "But nothing is higher than how the quarterback position will play out between free-agent pickup Mitch Trubisky and first-round pick Kenny Pickett. 

"Trubisky is the front-runner to start Week 1 after taking first reps during the spring, but it’s being framed as a competition. The Steelers need good play out of their quarterback to have any chance of competing, and that’s no guarantee at this point."

Trubisky hasn't been a legitimate QB1 since the Chicago Bears gave up on him in the winter of 2021, and yet he was seen as an upgrade over Rudolph this past March. If head coach Mike Tomlin truly believes Pickett isn't ready to unseat Trubisky, perhaps making a phone call to inquire about San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is something Pittsburgh should consider sooner rather than later.