LATROBE, Pa. -- It's been nearly two decades since the quarterback reps have been divvied up at training camp without a clear, undisputed No. 1 guy. Ben Roethlisberger claimed those reps from 2005 through last year, and it's an issue Mike Tomlin hasn't had to manage during his tenure as head coach.
Now, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett are throwing their hats in the ring for the starting job. Trubisky, carrying the experience of being a second overall pick and an NFL starter for four seasons, has the advantage for the starting job. But, Rudolph is coming in as the team's longest-tenured quarterback, and Pickett was the team's first-round selection this year. First-round picks aren't wasted on players who aren't thought to be starters at some point, sooner or later.
This is one of the most crucial decisions of Tomlin's career. And the one thing that could make it a bad decision is to overthink it or have knee-jerk reactions to every single throw.
That's what some people want. They want to see the pecking order jostled. Or -- probably more likely -- they have a favorite already in their mind. In fact, when Trubisky started his first set of team drills Wednesday with two incomplete passes, one fan yelled, "Get Pickett in there!"
It took two reps into training camp to get that kind of reaction. Simply put, that is not how this quarterback competition will play out.
"We're not going to micromanage or over-manage this quarterback competition," Tomlin said during Tuesday's press conference. "The depth chart will not rest on every throw. ... We're gonna be a little bit more steady than that. I think it's important from a leadership perspective to not over-manage it; to not be too impulsive. That's what I relayed to those guys, and our actions will continue to display that mindset."
Pickett will be a favorite among fans for obvious reasons. But, Trubisky and Rudolph both have valuable NFL experience. The Steelers have a tough start to their season, and are in uncharted waters without Roethlisberger.
It's impossible to fill Ben's shoes. There will never be another Big Ben. But, what the Steelers need out of this trio is one to assert themselves as the clear No. 1 guy; someone who can emerge as a clear and undisputed leader off the field, in the huddle and under center.
Trubisky is first in line.
"I just came here to be me," Trubisky told reporters prior to Wednesday's practice. "We understand that Ben has an amazing legacy here. We respect and honor that. But I can only come here and be me, Mitch Trubisky. So I'm coming here to compete, help lead these guys and do what I do on the field."
Trubisky has been looking for a way to bounce back from his days in Chicago, and he views his time backing up Josh Allen in Buffalo last year as a good "reset" for him.
Now, he's first in order to take the reins of Matt Canada's unhinged offense. If Day 1 of training camp is any indication, the quarterback will be moving around much more often this season. There looks to be more designed bootlegs and rollouts, not to mention a lot of motion.
I asked Trubisky how he feels like his skill set fits with this particular offense:
"I feel like it fits really well," Trubisky said. "That's one of the things we're going to watch as things go. What's the identity we're trying to establish? Like I said, we're just trying to get the ball to the playmakers. But, when things break down, I'm looking forward to be able to use my feet and do things in that way. We'll just see where it goes. We're trying to establish an identity, but I feel like it fits very well."
Then, there's Rudolph. He may not be the sexy choice out of this trio, but his ability to provide some level of continuity may help this team early on. He has an established rapport with Canada, along with the playmakers on offense. This is why he's No. 2 in the depth chart to start camp.
Rudolph has also been around long enough to know he won't be handed anything. He's competed for backup spots in the past, and he'll have his work cut out for the next several weeks in order to get a helmet in Week 1.
"You’re always competing somebody, no matter what team you’re on," Rudolph said. "You’re competing against yourself, but you’re competing against somebody no matter what position you’re at on the field, whether it’s for a backup spot or a starting job, so that’s always going to be a part of playing quarterback. I welcome it and I’m used to it."
With Pickett, the best way he can force himself into the mix is to do exactly what he told us when he reported Tuesday: "Just be consistent and play my game every day."
Roster spots can't be won or lost on the first day of camp. All three quarterbacks saw plenty of work during Wednesday's official opening of camp at Saint Vincent College, and all three had moments that showed why they are in consideration for being the guy.
Trubisky practiced with the first team Wednesday, and has a prime opportunity to lead the Steelers into Cincinnati in Week 1. At the same time, this group is ready to push each other to help bring out the best versions of themselves. And that's exactly what the Steelers need.
"Just having those conversations, it helps me as well," Trubisky said. "We're just all trying to push each other. When we do that, then we all get better."
