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."
Day 5 of training camp was the first day in pads. Here's what we saw Monday ...
DEPTH CHART
1. Mitch Trubisky
2. Kenny Pickett
3. Mason Rudolph
4. Chris Oladokun
Pickett got his first chance in Seven Shots on Saturday, perhaps a precursor to what happened Monday as he bumped up and took second-team snaps ahead of Rudolph.
But don't read too much into the move.
"There will be more of that. All of those guys are running in all groups, it’s just part of team development," Tomlin said Monday.
MITCH TRUBISKY
• Two of Trubisky's chances in Seven Shots were inside handoffs to Najee Harris. But Harris also scored on his first attempt, giving Trubisky his only win in the drill.
He threw incomplete to George Pickens on a back-shoulder throw on his first pass. Pickens was unable to get off tight coverage from Cam Sutton and get his head around. On Trubisky's second throw, he missed Anthony Miller on a post in the back of the end zone.
• The Steelers didn't throw the ball a lot in this practice, but on third-down drills, the ball never hit the ground when Trubisky was out there. His best throw was a short one over the middle to Pickens into tight coverage. But they were all shorter, easier throws.
• Trubisky also showed his elusiveness a couple of times in this practice, tucking the ball and running when the time came to do so.
KENNY PICKETT
• Pickett was 0-2 on his chances in Seven Shots, missing on passes to Miles Boykin and Connor Heyward, though Heyward slipped coming out of his break. It's questionable whether the pass would have been completed or not.
• Pickett's best throw came of play-action on an 11-on-11 inside run drill pass play that took the defense by surprise,
He faked the handoff and was decisive with his throw, getting it out to Boykin for about a 13-yard gain as soon as his back foot planted.
• He had another pass that was a quick 6-yard slant to Gunner Olszewski that he stuck right on him before Tre Norwood could come up and knock the ball loose. Again, a decisive throw that we need to see more of.
• Outside of that, Pickett continues to hold the ball too long on some plays. That internal clock in his head must get better.
MASON RUDOLPH
• Rudolph's only pass in Seven Shots resulted in a touchdown on a shovel pass/inside screen to tight end Jace Sternberger.
• Rudolph had a couple of passes batted down in the third-down drills, but rebounded with perhaps the best throws of the day.
One was a pass right down the middle of the field, splitting the safeties and connecting with Tyler Vaughns for about a 20-yard gain.
He also rolled to his right and found an open receiver for a touchdown on the final play of practice in the front corner of the end zone.
QB THOUGHTS
Rudolph continues to look strong, but Trubisky is closing the gap daily. That's to be expected with Rudolph being the most veteran quarterback in this system.
Pickett didn't look lost working with the second unit, which was good. But he still needs to get the ball out more quickly. When he does that, it looks good. When he doesn't, all hell breaks loose in the backfield.
But Tomlin isn't ready to name a starter anytime soon -- even though Trubisky has taken every first-team snap to this point.
As Tomlin said Monday when talking about Pickett getting second-team snaps, don't read anything into that process -- yet.
