The Pittsburgh Steelers threw a curveball during the 2022 NFL Draft and selected not one, but two quarterbacks. After the Steelers selected hometown hero QB Kenny Pickett, many talking heads on TV and fans assumed the team was done addressing the quarterback position in the draft. That just wasn't the case, though. The Steelers drafted QB Chris Oladokun in the seventh round with their very last selection.
Oladokun doesn't really have a chance to enter the conversation that is being talked about as the headlining QB battle to watch in the NFL, but he does have a fighting chance to make the 53-man roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Chris Oladokun, Mason Rudolph, and Mitch Trubisky participate in phase two of the voluntary off-season workout program, Thursday, May 19, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Oladokun is just fighting to prove that he is an NFL quarterback and that he should be in the NFL.
"Something that I do strongly believe is that I do belong here," Oladokun said via Triblive's Chris Adamski.
The QB is confident that he can make the 53-man roster when final cuts are made in just a couple of months.
"Obviously, we have a very competitive quarterback room," Oladokun said in the spring after an Organized Team Activity (OTAs) practice session. "I look to embrace my role in any capacity, whatever that is, whether I am the first one taking snaps or the last guy on the totem pole.""However I can make not only the room better, but the team, that's what I look to do. I'm embracing that role. It's something that's going to be important for me heading into this year. You are just personally developing: on the field, off the field and giving yourself the best chance to make the '53."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Chris Oladokun (5) participates in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) Wednesday May 25, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Being a good teammate seemingly comes first for Oladokun, he just wants to contribute to improving the QB room as a whole. The moment isn't to big for him, but he appreciates playing alongside some of the guys he used to watch while growing up.
"A lot of these guys I am teammates with now, I watched playing growing up, so it's really cool sharing the field with them," Oladokun said. "It's about improving in our quarterback room: me, Mitch [Trubisky], Mason [Rudolph] and Kenny just getting to know each other and building on every single day and developing."
Steelers QBs Coach, Mike Sullivan said he was happy with Oladokun's ability to pick the offense up in an interview with Steelers reporter, Missi Matthews, earlier this off-season:
"And really pleased with Chris Oladokun, I mean, he’s a guy maybe not getting as many reps right now, but making the most of his opportunities and he’s picking things up, so it’s been a lot of fun so far."
Oladokun is on the outside looking in currently, but that could all change with one simple move on the chess board for the Steelers. And that starts with...
Parting ways with Rudolph, it would be best for all parties involved. If Oladokun can in fact prove that he belongs here, keep him on the roster as QB3, behind Trubisky and Pickett.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Chris Oladokun (5) participates in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) Thursday May 26, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
What do yinz think about QB Chris Oladokun's comments about proving he belongs? Does he belong on the 53-man roster when final cuts are made? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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