The Steelers have had quite the quarterback battle this summer, and here are the pros and cons of starting their options that are remaining.
While the release of Chris Oladokun didn’t impact the Steelers starting quarterback battle, it does make the likelihood of the three remaining quarterback options sticking that much more likely. Despite the trade rumors for Mason Rudolph still being there, it seems as though he will be on this roster through at least the first game.
Mitchell Trubisky has done his part to look like a capable starter this summer. Meanwhile, Kenny Pickett has shined when given the opportunity and appears to be closer to pro-ready. While all odds point to Trubisky starting, there is certainly an argument for either of the other quarterbacks to be the choice. Here are the pros and cons of each of the remaining Steelers quarterback options for this season.
Rudolph is the safest option
Pro- The Known Factor
The most veteran quarterback to the team has had a horrible offseason from a narrative perspective. While the team declared their confidence in him, they proceed to sign Trubisky and draft Pickett in the first round. Most wrote him off because of this, but he has looked good through training camp and the preseason.
His biggest pro is just that: he is a known and safe option. The team knows what they have in the former third-round pick, and it isn’t a net bad thing. He won’t win you many games, but he also won’t make costly mistakes that cost you the game either. Of the three quarterbacks on the roster, Rudolph is the safest player by far.
Con- He has literally no upside
This is also his biggest issue as a potential starter. There is absolutely no upside in him as a starter, and for a team that will have a lot of limitations, he won’t put this team over the edge. With the team so much in question right now, this likely wouldn’t impact the team’s final line that much. His strength is his weakness, as he is a safe but low-ceiling type of starter at this point.
Trubisky has the highest potential
Pro- His 2018 Season
Mitch Trubisky has had quite the back-and-forth career to this point. Though he had some highs in Chicago, he was deemed a bust and was moved on from before his short, but apparently impressive stint with the Bills. With the Bears though, he did have a pro bowl season, and that is seemingly his best-case scenario with the Steelers.
No, he wasn’t perfect, and despite the fact that he made his only ever pro bowl that season, he still wasn’t an elite player. What he did do was take what was given to him and make some plays on the ground. He is now in a better place with a better supporting cast, and the hope is that he can emulate his 2018 season. If he can, this offense may find some success.
Con- His Mistakes
The biggest issue with Trubisky beyond just his lack of elite plays is his mistakes. Let me be clear, the Steelers can be a competitive team, but they won’t be blowing teams out of the water. That means any mistake can be costly for the final outcome of a game. Trubisky has been prone to mistakes: even in his pro bowl season, he tossed half as many interceptions as touchdowns.
The Steelers offense more than likely won’t be able to sustain many turnovers this season. The consistency won’t be there, so an interception during key moments could ruin any game. Trubisky has to play cleaner. If he doesn’t, the team could implode, and the offense could stall.
Pickett is the quarterback of the future
Pro- The Eggs are in his Basket
While there is a real chance that Pickett doesn’t start early in the season, he is the quarterback of the future for this team. That is why they spent a first-round pick on him. While starting him right away will lead to him taking his lumps, it will also further progress his development. Pickett can’t become a quality starter without actually starting games.
To this point, Pickett has looked the part of a pro-ready rookie. He has been impressive in the preseason and has seemingly taken command of the offense. Throwing him into the fire has its cons, but it gives the rookie a chance to sink or swim.
Con- Would it Ruin Him?
The age-old David Carr dilemma. The former Texans top pick was thrown into the fire and was destroyed as a rookie. Sacks and pressure led to horrible passes and an early bust label. He never recovered, and as a result, flamed out despite being perceived as the savior of the franchise.
The Steelers offensive line looks bad, so throwing Pickett in could lead to a similar issue. Constant pressure will lead to mistakes, and the bust label will circulate quickly if Pickett struggles. While sitting on an older, pro-ready rookie has its risks, it could help keep Pickett safe as he works his way into the starting role.
The Steelers have quite a few options at quarterback this season. While it seems likely that Trubisky is the guy moving forward, there are pros and cons to each of the three remaining options.