Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a heated battle for the starting quarterback spot. Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph all wanted the starting job but in the end, it was Pickett who won out.
Now, with the 2022 season in the rearview mirror, this is Pickett’s team and Trubisky and Rudolph are firmly on the outside looking in. Rudolph is set to hit free agency and Trubisky is a potential cap cut, which will leave Pittsburgh with two vacancies on the quarterback depth chart. I can’t see a scenario where Rudolph stays with the Steelers after the way he was treated this season and Trubisky is making far too much money for his production.
If it happens that the Steelers have only Pickett left from 2022, it raises an interesting concern. At least one of the spots on the depth chart will need to be filled by a veteran. No one wants to see a quarterback injury but if by chance Pickett has to miss some time, the Steelers need a guy who will have a grasp of the offense
This doesn’t preclude the Steelers from drafting a quarterback as well. Not a player to develop to replace Pickett but a late-round developmental guy who can hold a clipboard, be a good practice player and be smart. High football IQ even if the skills aren’t there is really important for a player who will be working with other young guys.
