The last several seasons of his career, the only scrambles in which Ben Roethlisberger participated were on the golf course.
But if there has been one thing that's been apparent in training camp and the preseason this year, it's that Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and even Mason Rudolph give the Steelers a mobility factor at the quarterback position they haven't had in a number of years.
And that means not just tucking the ball down and running for yardage. It also means the team's pass catchers have to reacquaint themselves with the scramble drill.
That was a big part of the offense in Roethlisberger's first 12 or so years. But as age and injuries took their toll on his body, the days of Roethlisberger slinging a defender or two off and moving in the pocket while looking to make a big play dwindled, as well.
But it's become very apparent that Trubisky, in particular, has that ability to shake off a defender or make him miss in the backfield and still find a way to get out of the pocket with his eyes downfield or just tuck the ball down and run.
It's not something teams necessarily practice, but when it's part of the arsenal, it's nice to have.
"You can’t," Trubisky said when asked if it's something a team can practice. "You’re just trying to keep plays alive. That’s one of the improvements from last week. It’s a good thing to keep plays alive, but you’ve got to take advantage when you get behind a defense like that."
Trubisky had a couple of plays like that in the Steelers' 16-15 preseason win last weekend against the Jaguars. But the completions off his scrambling out of trouble didn't come.
"I would like to hit that one earlier in the game where I’ve got Diontae (Johnson) behind the defense," Trubisky said. "We kind of weren’t on the same page from where he was going versus where I was throwing. Those can turn into some big plays if you can take advantage of them. That’s something I can do, keeping plays alive with my legs. That’s something I want to improve going into this week, hitting those big plays when you get behind a defense to really make them pay.
"We’ll get on the same page when it comes to the scramble drill. We haven’t really talked about it much. Hopefully guys have seen that when things break down, I can make a play outside. Just stay alive on the scramble drill."
It hasn't been talked about a lot, but the skill position players around him have seen Trubisky keep those plays alive. And they know once he breaks the pocket that they have to find an open spot on the field.
"It just kind of happens. Obviously, when we get to our break point, we look back at the pocket and you know," tight end Pat Freiermuth told me. "We have certain rules we’re supposed to do when we’re on a scramble. It’s cool having a quarterback with mobility who can get out of the pocket."
Freiermuth isn't discounting what Roethlisberger did last season in the tight end's rookie season, but he also knows the Steelers didn't have to concern themselves too much with those kind of plays a year ago.
"No. Not at all," Freiermuth said with a laugh.
It also puts additional pressure on the defense.
The past few years, opposing teams knew exactly where Roethlisberger was going to be once the ball was snapped. He might move slightly to his left or right, but he was going to be in the area where he received the snap.
That made the Steelers much easier to play against.
"That’s the beginning of a new play," cornerback Levi Wallace told me of what happens when the quarterback breaks containment in the backfield. "It’s kind of like going against Patrick Mahomes. That’s one that comes to mind. It’s a whole new play. Now you’ve got to find the closest receiver if you’re in zone. If you’re in zone, it’s a little more challenging because you have to turn your head and find who’s around you. That creates a little panic. Man-to-man, it’s just to cover guys for a long period of time. Everybody is too good, too fast these days."
That's what the Steelers are counting on and one of the reasons they wanted a quarterback with more mobility.
They specifically sought out Trubisky in free agency and drafted Pickett in the first round because both were mobile enough to challenge a defense. And they were mobile enough that if the blocking isn't perfect, it doesn't automatically lead to a sack.
"For sure. It eases things for a lot of guys," Freiermuth said. "If the o-line or tight end misses a block, we can kind of keep a play alive."
Given how the Steelers offensive line has looked through two preseason games, that's a good thing. Despite some blocking issues, Steelers quarterbacks have been sacked just four times in the team's first two preseason games, with the quarterbacks using their mobility to get out of trouble.
And, oh by the way, it's not just about the quarterback breaking the pocket and looking to throw the ball. He might run it, as well.
"I’ve covered a 10-yard route and then it turns into a 50-yard route and I turn around and the quarterback is running. It definitely brings a different component to it," Wallace said. "That’s just the game now, mobile quarterbacks extending plays."
• Rudolph has been taking scout team reps this week despite a strong training camp and preseason. It's apparent Pickett has passed him for the No. 2 job.
He's handled things like a professional. And he did again Thursday when he was asked about his situation.
"I try to say nothing surprises you any more," Rudolph said Thursday. "I said in camp that I would have enjoyed taking some more first-team reps, but that didn’t happen. I think I made the most of the reps I did get. That’s all you can do when you play quarterback."
Mike Tomlin said in the spring Rudolph would be given a chance to unseat Trubisky as the starter. But throughout the course of the spring and even into training camp, the pecking order at quarterback remained Trubisky taking most if not all of the snaps with the starters and then Rudolph working with the second team and Pickett the third.
But that changed after the first couple of weeks of camp. Trubisky still took all the first-team snaps, but Rudolph and Pickett began trading off second and third-team reps.
"The plan that was laid out in the spring was the plan for the spring," Rudolph said. "We never get any heads up, ‘This is going to be what happens on Aug. 15.’
"It’s about how you react to the hand you’ve been dealt? How do you handle adversity? I’ve done that well. This team has done that well. We’re out there fighting."
All three quarterbacks have played well in the team's preseason games. And that's led to speculation Rudolph, who has a base salary of $3 million and counts just over $4 million against the team's salary cap might draw interest as a trade candidate.
NFL.com, for instance, had Rudolph at the top of its potential trade candidates list on Thursday.
"I hear it from you guys, but I don't read it," Rudolph said of the speculation.
But perhaps he would benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. He's proven in this offseason and camp that he is, in fact, a quality NFL quarterback -- if not as a starter, then as a backup. In fact, at least half the teams in the league would benefit by having him on their roster.
The Steelers, who used three different quarterbacks in 2019, however, might also be inclined to hold onto him. After all, it's not like they need the salary cap space.
"It’s difficult to say," Rudolph said of what they future holds. "We’ve got another week. I’m going to keep doing my job. I’ll hit the field Sunday and compete."
• Two Steelers also made that list on NFL.com as potential veteran cuts. One was Montravius Adams, who hasn't practiced since injuring his ankle in the second week of training camp. The other is wide receiver Miles Boykin.
Adams could wind up being a candidate for injured reserve. Boykin, meanwhile, is slated to count $2.75 million this season. That's a lot of money to pay for a sixth wide receiver and special teamer.
• I've written a lot about the flexibility the Steelers have on the back end of their defense, largely because their top three cornerbacks are all capable and because of the addition of Damontae Kazee.
But one player who is the wildcard is Minkah Fitzpatrick. He can essentially play any spot in the secondary.
"Minkah is a component of that, he provides a lot of versatility for us," Mike Tomlin said Thursday.
• The Lions are planning on starting their first-team offensive and defensive units against the Steelers, with the notable exception of quarterback Jared Goff.
The Lions will start Tim Boyle in the game and follow him up with David Blough.
Think they could use Rudolph?
• It wouldn't be surprising for the Steelers take take a run at a young offensive lineman who hasn't worked out well for the team that drafted him.
One intriguing name is Philadelphia's Andre Dillard.
Dillard was the Eagles' first-round pick in 2019 and the 22nd player selected. Current Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl was running Philadelphia's draft board at the time, though GM Howie Roseman made the call to select Dillard.
Dillard, a true left tackle, started four games as an injury replacement as a rookie, but tore his biceps in his second season when he projected as the starting left tackle.
Last season, he lost a battle for the starting job with Jordan Mailata, but wound up starting four games at left tackle when Mailata moved to the right side to replace injured Lane Johnson.
Then, the Eagles gave Mailata a four-year contract extension in the offseason and declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Dillard.
He might cost a fifth or sixth-round pick, but the Steelers would get a chance to acquire a left tackle with starting experience. It could be a one-year rental, or he could decide he likes it here and sign an extension in the offseason.
Given 2021 fourth-round draft pick Dan Moore's struggles in the first two preseason games, it would be something at least worth exploring.
• Chuks Okorafor at right tackle has been the one constant for the Steelers in the first two preseason games. He's been the team's most consistent linemen, which is what is expected as he enters his third season as a starter.
• I don't see the Steelers trading for another edge player to add to the mix. That will be one where there will be someone cut loose by a team that has started at least a handful of NFL games and brings some experience to the table.
• I wouldn't expect to see Cam Heyward playing again this week against the Lions. The Steelers know what he is.
But they do want to get a good look at those defensive linemen behind him. And the Lions, who ran the ball well against the Steelers last season, are a good test of that.
I also don't know that we'll see linebacker Myles Jack. The Steelers have seen enough of him to know he's an upgrade. And it will give them more of an opportunity to play Devin Bush and Robert Spillane.