LATROBE, Pa. -- The quarterback competition in Steelers camp will be watched with intense scrutiny. It's the first time there's been even a breath of quarterback controversy since Ben Roethlisberger was drafted in 2004. Now, after an 18-year career, it's time for someone else to take the reins.
In turn, we're going to provide updates on what each quarterback is doing throughout training camp -- where they are in the pecking order and, more importantly, how they are performing.
While we will be watching and reporting this competition closely, it's important to note that Mike Tomlin was very specific in how he plans to handle this situation.
"We're not going to micromanage or over-manage this quarterback competition," Tomlin said on reporting day. "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."
On a rainy Day 2 on training camp ...
DEPTH CHART
1. Mitch Trubisky
2. Mason Rudolph
3. Kenny Pickett
4. Chris Oladokun
The same order as Wednesday. It's still football in shorts, so any changes to the depth chart would have been very surprising.
Just as it was Wednesday, the quartet rotated throughout individual drills, but Oladokun did not take any reps during any team drills. Trubisky, Rudolph and Pickett rotated in order with their respective teams. However, Pickett did not get any reps during seven shots.
MITCH TRUBISKY
• After the rain let up, Trubisky started his day off with a bang, completing three of four passes -- all three touchdowns -- during seven shots. Two of his throws were quite impressive. His first was put right on Chase Claypool on the sideline, who was able to haul in the pass in bounds. His last of four throws was placed perfectly for the 6-foot-8 Zach Gentry in the back of the end zone.
• For the most part, Trubisky was accurate on throws outside the numbers. One that stood out was a completion to Calvin Austin III on an out route beyond 10 yards. Trubisky put plenty behind the throw, and put it right on Austin.
• Trubisky looks really comfortable moving around, whether it be a designed rollout or if he's improvising. It sure looks like he's done this before.
• Now is the time to see quarterbacks test the waters and be a little aggressive. Trubisky did it Wednesday, and did it again Thursday. Unfortunately, passes beyond 10 yards down the middle were not nearly as crisp. The worst resulted in an interception by Robert Spillane during his final team drill.
MASON RUDOLPH
• A lot of the same from Wednesday. Lots of completions on short routes. Whether it was a drag, dig or slant, Rudolph, generally hit his target.
• Rudolph's best throw of the day was unquestionably a dime down the left sideline, hitting Gunner Olszewski in stride. He got rid of the ball in a timely fashion and dropped it in right on the money. Not only Rudolph's best throw, but the best among the entire group.
• While Trubisky excelled during seven shots, Rudolph wasn't quite as crisp. He was nearly intercepted by Justin Layne on his first throw, and then tried to fit a pass to Kevin Rader in tight coverage, resulting in an incomplete pass. Rudolph did complete his final pass to Tyler Vaughns on a drag route along the goal line.
• Once again, Thursday was about what you would expect from Rudolph. He reads coverage and gets the ball out quickly.
KENNY PICKETT
• Started off team drills with an interception. He tried to hit the receiver on an outside dig route, but the ball was behind him. Just not a good throw.
• He did go 2/3 after that, including a completed pass to Tyler Snead after he stepped up in the pocket to avoid pressure. It's good to see him be able to do that.
• That said, Pickett clearly looks more comfortable when he is on the move. It makes sense since he's certainly the most mobile of the trio. He's got to learn to be more consistent throwing from the pocket.
• Little doubt the weather affected Pickett today. It rained heavily at the start of practice, and Pickett is the only quarterback on the team who wears gloves. He's also the quarterback who struggled the most with accuracy Thursday.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In a vacuum, Pickett had the roughest day of the top three guys. But, again, this is football in shorts. As Tomlin stated, this competition will not hang on every single throw.
"You gotta trust coach when he says that," Trubisky said Wednesday.
Tomlin wants his players to play free, which includes quarterbacks testing their throws. Worrying about completion percentage and other statistics during this portion of camp is fruitless. Right now, it's about learning and ironing out the kinks.
"There's some mistakes, but that's part of the process," Tomlin said. "Do they not make the same mistake twice? How did they learn from those mistakes? And when they're less than certain, do they still play at full speed?"