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."
Just as it was for Tuesday's practice, Day 13 of training camp was moved up earlier in the day in order to avoid storms forecasted for the afternoon. Here's what we saw Wednesday ...
DEPTH CHART
1. Mitch Trubisky
2. Mason Rudolph
3. Kenny Pickett
4. Chris Oladokun
Just as it was Tuesday, Trubisky handled all of the first-team reps while Rudolph and Pickett split second- and third-team reps. Oladokun continues to be mostly a spectator, taking only a few reps during one-on-one drills.
Players were not in full pads for Wednesday's practice. Naturally, it was a more pass-oriented session. While the team focused on red zone drills to close out Tuesday's practice, the Steelers went back to running the two-minute drill Wednesday, with Rudolph and Pickett each getting a chance to lead the team down the field. The offense needed to cover 60 yards in 1:38 with only one timeout. A touchdown was needed in order to win.
MITCH TRUBISKY
• Trubisky's day didn't get off to a great start. The offense was unsuccessful in all four of his reps during seven shots, with at least two passes nearly intercepted. However, the defense had the receivers blanketed in all four reps. While Trubisky had George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth at his disposal, Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson were absent from Wednesday's practice. Truthfully, the 0 for 4 was more a success for the defense rather than a failure on Trubisky's part.
• The best part of Trubisky's day was throwing the long ball. Regardless of the situation or drill, Trubisky's deep throws were either caught or put in a good spot for his receiver. Two throws highlighted this portion. The first came after Tomlin specifically called out a one-on-one between Pickens and Ahkello Witherspoon. Pickens used his height to his advantage, using his strong hands to go up and get a well-placed ball from Trubisky. The second was completed to Connor Heyward, who made a wonderful late adjustment to the pass, hauling in the over-the-shoulder catch.
• Trubisky also seems to be quite accurate on the skinny posts, knowing when to throw the ball a bit higher or when to put it low and out of danger. He hit Pickens on a couple of those routes Wednesday.
• Sometimes the tiniest details can go unnoticed. On a third-and-3 situation, Trubisky did a great job of selling a pass into the flat, getting several members of the defense to bite. Then, he found Gunner Olszewski wide open on a short curl for a first down. Trubisky didn't need a drastic pump fake or waste precious time to oversell the play. It was subtle, yet effective. Wonderfully executed.
MASON RUDOLPH
• Rudolph was the only quarterback to lead the offense into the end zone during seven shots, and he did it in both of his reps. First, he put up a fade to the back left corner of the end zone for Miles Boykin, who came down with a tremendous one-handed catch. One his second throw, Rudolph found Cody White on a quick slant on the goal line for his second touchdown.
• During one-on-ones and 11-on-11, it was more of the typical Rudolph. Lots of quick throws. But, he did have a nice connection on a deep throw down the right sideline, hitting Tyler Vaughns in stride for a long completion. Receivers like Claypool have praised Rudolph's accuracy, and throws like that remind us that he can be quite accurate down the field.
• Rudolph's best portion of the day came during the two-minute drill. He went 4 for 4, starting with short completions to Calvin Austin III and Anthony McFarland to move the chains. Then, Rudolph took a shot down the left sideline and Pickens came down with a well-placed deep ball for a gain of at least 35 yards to set up first-and-goal. It was a great catch by Pickens, but a really good throw by Rudolph.
• Then, Rudolph's final pass of the two-minute drill was a fade to Pickens in the end zone. Pickens fought for the contested ball, and came down with a one-handed catch for the touchdown. It was nice to see Rudolph really attack the defense during the two-minute drill.
KENNY PICKETT
• Pickett's only rep during seven shots was unsuccessful. He found Jace Sternberger just inside the goal line with a bit of room. Though it wasn't Pickett's best ball, Sternberger dropped what should have been the offense's third touchdown of seven shots.
• Pickett's throws looked much better Wednesday. Two really stood out. The first came during 11-on-11 when Pickett was forced to his right immediately after a play-action fake. He didn't panic, kept his eyes down field and hit Boykin on the sideline with a perfect pass on the run. The second came later in the drill, hitting Javon McKinley down the left sideline, putting the ball perfectly on his back shoulder.
• While Pickett did great under pressure on the aforementioned throw to Boykin, there are still times where he can't get rid of the ball. One time during seven-on-seven, he couldn't find anyone open and decided to take off running after a few seconds. That should not happen during seven-on-seven. Then during third down drills, Pickett sat in the pocket way too long for a would-be sack. After the play, Tomlin chirped at his rookie quarterback, "Get that ball out, Kenny!"
• Pickett ended his day on a great note, topping what Rudolph did during the two-minute drill. Pickett only needed two passes to go 60 yards, starting with a pass in the flat to Jaylen Warren, who made a defender miss, stuck his foot in the ground and took off for a gain of at least 30 yards. On the very next play, Pickett sat in the pocket and fired a deep strike over the middle to Steven Sims in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. It might have been Pickett's best throw of the day.
QB THOUGHTS
We know at this point Trubisky is the No. 1 guy. What we really need to see is how Rudolph and Pickett compete for the No. 2 spot. Rudolph has been the most consistent of any quarterback in camp, but Pickett's ceiling is higher and he's progressing through typical rookie issues. The first true test takes place Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium when the Steelers open their preseason schedule against the Seahawks.
It's good to see both guys have success during football situations in practice. But, things can change when the venue switches from Chuck Noll Field to playing under the lights in an NFL stadium.