Like all of Pittsburgh, I wanted to see the Steelers quarterbacks in the exhibition opener Saturday night. I knew the team has three of note on its roster, each trying to replace Ben Roethlisberger. But I wasn't sure it has even one that can win games when they count.
Well, I have an admission.
I feel a little better after watching Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett in the 32-25 win against the Seattle Seahawks.
The quarterbacks showed me a little more than I expected.
Perhaps Roethlisberger, as well.
"Great showing by the @Steelers tonight," Roethlisberger tweeted late in the game. "All 3 QBs looking good! Well done guys, fun to watch."
Trubisky, the team's top free-agent signing of the off-season, made a nice first impression. He led the Steelers on a touchdown drive on their first possession, completing it with a scoring pass to Gunner Olszewski. Rudolph showed why many training-camp observers think he has been the best of the three so far. He made the play of the game, throwing a gorgeous touchdown pass to rookie receiver George Pickens, who was everything against the Seahawks he's been cranked up to be this summer. Pickett played the entire second half, completed his first 10 passes and threw a couple of touchdowns, including the 24-yard game-winner to wide receiver Tyler Vaughns with 3 seconds left.
Just say it was a nice start for the Steelers offense even though it played without Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.
Mike Tomlin sounded pretty happy.
"They moved their units," he said of his quarterbacks. "They did the informal things associated with the position from a leadership and communication standpoint. They were engaged. It was a good first-time out for all three."
As expected, Pickett was the darling of the Acrisure Stadium crowd.
What?
You expected otherwise?
Pickett looked comfortable on the same lawn where he led Pitt to the ACC championship last season and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. The loudest ovation of the night came when he ran on the field for the first time on the Steelers' first possession of the third quarter. There were chants of "Ken-ny! Ken-ny!" after he completed his first pass to tight end Jace Steinberger for an 11-yard gain, again after he threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to running back Jaylen Warren and a third time after his winning touchdown pass to Vaughns.
Pickett, who described his night and the fans' reaction to it as "awesome," finished 13 of 15 for 95 yards and the two touchdowns with a 132.6 passer rating. He also completed a 2-point conversion pass to tight end Connor Heyward. He even showed his mobility — a trait valued by Tomlin — scrambling for 8 yards on the play before his touchdown pass to Vaughns.
"He moved his group," Tomlin said of Pickett. "He played situational football. He displayed a competitive spirit. Lot of good things to build on from a first-performance standpoint."
Trubisky showed he is no fool, throwing his first pass to Pickens, who turned the sideline route into a 9-yard gain. Why not go to the receiver who has been the talk of training camp to get things going?
Trubisky twice showed his mobility. On his 25-yard touchdown pass to Olszewski, he escaped pressure by taking a few steps to his left, kept his eyes downfield and found Olszewski alone in the end zone. On the Steelers' next possession — Trubisky's final possession — he shrugged off linebacker Darrell Taylor and took off around right end, turning a sack into a 4-yard gain.
Trubisky's best pass came on the first play of that second possession. His throw to Heyward was perfectly placed over cornerback Tariq Woolen and went for a 16-yard gain.
Trubisky finished 4 of 7 for 63 yards and the touchdown with a 126.8 passer rating.
Rudolph's night nearly had a horrific start. On his first play, he was stripped of the ball by linebacker Boye Mafe, who blew by tackle Dan Moore Jr. Fortunately for the Steelers, Rudolph was able to recover at the Seattle 33. One play later, he threw a perfect ball to Pickens, who beat cornerback Coby Bryant for a 26-yard touchdown, Pickens getting his toes down in the right corner of the end zone.
Rudolph led the Steelers on a 17-play, 81-yard field-goal drive on their next possession. His best throw was an 8-yard pass to Pickens on a sideline route.
Rudolph finished 9 of 15 for 93 yards and the touchdown with a 100.1 passer.
Roethlisberger was right.
All three quarterbacks looked good.
And, yes, they were fun to watch.
