LATROBE, Pa. -- The quarterback competition in the Steelers' training camp will be watched with intense scrutiny. It's the first time there's been even a breath of controversy at the position 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 9 of training camp was another hot day at Saint Vincent College, but was ended a tad short due to lightning in the area. Here's what we saw Thursday ...
DEPTH CHART
1. Mitch Trubisky
2. Mason Rudolph
3. Kenny Pickett
4. Chris Oladokun
Just as Trubisky and Rudolph split first-team reps in Wednesday's practice, Rudolph and Pickett split second- and third-team reps during Thursday's practice. Oladokun saw at least one rep during one-on-one drills between receivers and defensive backs, but the top three handled all reps during team drills.
Players were back in pads for Thursday's practice, and the team focused a bit more on the run game because of it. There was still plenty to take away from the quarterbacks.
MITCH TRUBISKY
• Trubisky took the first four reps of seven shots, and got off to a good start by hitting George Pickens breaking inside along the goal line on a pick play. Trubisky's timing and accuracy were on point for the easy touchdown.
• However, the offense failed to score on Trubisky's final three reps. He sailed one over Connor Heyward's head while missing a wide open Diontae Johnson on his second throw. Then, after Benny Snell was stopped short on a toss to the left side, Trubisky had to fire a pass quickly to Anthony McFarland in the flat because he had a free rusher in his face. McFarland wasn't able to turn his head around in time, and Cam Sutton nearly intercepted the ball when he jumped the route.
• The best portion of the day for Trubisky was during one-on-ones with receivers and defensive backs. On three different occasions, Trubisky hit his receiver in stride on deep passes down the field. The receiver had separation on all three throws, but the passes were laid in perfectly to allow the receiver to catch the ball without having to slow down. Those are the type of throws that turn a big gain into a surefire touchdown.
• Trubisky wasn't nearly as sharp as the day before during team drills. The timing of his throws were usually good, but too many passes that were in danger of being intercepted. There's a reason we don't count stats here, so interceptions -- or any results, for that matter -- during training camp should always come with a disclaimer. In addition, Trubisky has been working against the first-team defense without Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth and -- until Thursday's practice -- Johnson.
MASON RUDOLPH
• Rudolph played two reps during seven shots, going 1 for 2 with a touchdown. His first pass was a fade to Miles Boykin in the back left corner of the end zone, but James Pierre made a great play on the ball for the incompletion. His second pass was a gimme, finding Jace Sternberger sliding into a very soft spot in the coverage for an easy touchdown.
• Again, we don't count stats here, but Rudolph had a high completion percentage Thursday. Rudolph lived up to his reputation with a significant number of shorter throws. We know by now, if Rudolph's first or second read is open, he's usually pretty good about getting the ball there.
• One throw that stood out was a touchdown pass to Tyler Vaughns where he worked the defender away from the intended route. So far during camp, I've seen Rudolph try to stick a little longer with his first read if it's a deeper throw, and little things like this are ways the quarterback can help create separation.
• Thursday wasn't Rudolph's most consistent day in terms of accuracy. He missed some throws, including one to McFarland, that he usually makes without a problem. His accuracy on shorter throws has looked great so far during camp, so it's nothing worth freaking out over.
KENNY PICKETT
• Pickett's lone rep in seven shots might have been his best throw on the day. He waited long enough in the pocket for the play to develop, then dropped a dime to Cody White running to the right sideline in the end zone. White snatched it and got both feet in bounds for a touchdown.
• Pickett excelled during one-on-ones, making multiple throws on par with a good NFL starter. One was a very nice back shoulder throw to Heyward up the left side that gave the defender no chance at the ball.
• One day after showing some alarming signs of panic in the pocket, Pickett looked much more poised Thursday. That's a great sign because Wednesday's practice was not in pads, so the intensity was ramped up a bit more Thursday.
• If Pickett's best throw didn't come during seven shots, it came later on when he hit Boykin on a skinny post with a perfect pass in tight coverage. Much like Rudolph -- a veteran -- did on his touchdown pass to Vaughns, Pickett used his eyes to keep the defender away from where Boykin was going to break on his route.
QB THOUGHTS
I know there's a good portion of fans that want to see Pickett as the starter. Truth be told, at this moment in time, he doesn't give the Steelers the best chance to win Week 1. Neither does Rudolph, who may know the system better than his competition, but we need to see Rudolph improve at consistently moving the ball down the field in actual games. That won't come until next Saturday when the Steelers host the Seahawks for their first preseason game.
Pickett has simply not shown the same poise and consistency as Trubisky or Rudolph. He may bring some things to the table that those two don't have, but Pickett has to improve in his awareness in the pocket. Defenses will eat him alive if he doesn't.
It'll take time, so we're far from any need to panic. And Thursday was an encouraging sign in that regard.