The Pittsburgh Steelers were back at practice in Latrobe on Monday after an exciting win against the Seattle Seahawks. Their preseason opener landed them on top, 32-25 with a Kenny Pickett game-winning touchdown pass to WR Tyler Vaughns. The Steelers were back in full pads just two days after their preseason victory. Head Coach Mike Tomlin isn't playing around in this year's training camp. The Steelers' intriguing quarterback competition just got a lot tighter with all three candidates for QB1 winning the night.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks participate in Organized Team Activities (OTA's) Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
During practice on Monday, Pickett seemed to take the majority of second-team reps. The quarterbacks have been on a depth chart carousel throughout the duration of camp with each quarterback taking turns with the first, second and third team offenses.
7 on 7 now and Kenny still getting 2nd team reps. He’s gotten them all day and I’m STILL pretty sure he hasn’t missed a pass yet. He’s looked great, making all the right decisions. #HereWeGo
— B-Wall (@BWall) August 15, 2022
We don't want to read too much into it, but will Tomlin give Pickett some time with the second-team against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Saturday? If Monday's practice is any indication, we may just see Pickett get time earlier in the game this weekend! Our own Brandon James Wallace was in Latrobe giving Steeler Nation live updates via Twitter on Monday during the last week of training camp.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, Aug.13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Haha Kenny just playing with so much swagger today. I honestly don’t think he’s missed a pass yet. Hits Snead on a nice rollout and shows some real good arm strength.
— B-Wall (@BWall) August 15, 2022
Just now realizing I haven’t seen Anthony Miller all day 🤔 #HereWeGo
Pickett is practicing with some heightened swagger after playing well in the preseason opener. With a debut like each of the quarterbacks had, they all should be practicing with a little more pep in their step. Tight End Pat Freiermuth was back at practice Monday after missing some time with a hamstring injury sustained near the beginning of camp. The team seems to be exhibiting some caution with their budding star at the tight end position. Pickett hit the impressive second-year tight end on a fade route in the back of the endzone for the touchdown on his first second-team rep in Monday's iteration of "7 shots."
7 shots!
— B-Wall (@BWall) August 15, 2022
1. Warren stuffed by Edmunds
2. Trubisky incomplete
3. Trubisky completes to DJ but he looked short
4. Trubisky to Sims TD
5. Pickett to Muth TD
6. Teague TD
7. Rudolph to White held short
Kendrick Green actually came off the field and threw his helmet, he looks hurt
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky started out the "7 shots" period just as he has all training camp thus far. On the first rep, the undrafted rookie was just trying to find a way to make the team, was searching for the endzone but was stuffed by SS Terrell Edmunds. On his second rep, Trubisky tried to hit the massive 6'8" TE Zach Gentry in the back corner of the endzone for six, but it was incomplete.
Trubisky bounced back, threw and hit WR Diontae Johnson in the front corner of the endzone, which has been ruled a touchdown by some, but Wallace says he looked short. He finished his last rep of "7 shots" with a touchdown to WR Steven Sims, whose stock seems to be trending up at the moment. Rookie DL DeMarvin Leal and LB Buddy Johnson closed out the period by stopping WR Cody White short of the endzone on a completion by QB Mason Rudolph.
Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
According to Wallace, Pickett didn't throw an incompletion on the day, until the last throw of practice in which he was picked off by slot corner Arthur Maulet.
Dang. Kenny was driving and just got picked off by Maulet. First incompletion of the day haha smh.
— B-Wall (@BWall) August 15, 2022
That’ll do it for practice. #HereWeGo
What are your thoughts on Pickett taking more of the second team reps in the Steelers' first training camp practice after their preseason opener? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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