Pittsburgh Steelers football is here. There's just one preseason game remaining, and then the regular season begins in just over two weeks. The Steelers will start things off in Cincinnati for an AFC North tilt in Week 1. Before that though, the remaining preseason game will bring plenty of things to watch.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks, Kenny Pickett (#8), Mitch Trubisky (#10), and Mason Rudolph (#2) participate in 2022 training camp at the team's South Side facility. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The quarterback competition is a bit more fierce than some thought it would be, as rookie Kenny Pickett is giving Mitch Trubisky a run for his money. Mason Rudolph's chances at starting are gone, as trade rumors have even began to circulate. He may not even get any playing time this Sunday against the Detroit Lions, as it would be wise to give each Trubisky and Pickett one half of play to help determine the starter.
Other than starting QB Jared Goff, the Lions will play a majority of their starters, which should provide a good test for the Steelers. Beyond the black and gold's QB battle, there are a few other competitions to watch for.
Starting left guard
Kevin Dotson or Kendrick Green? Maybe even John Leglue? At this point, it's just a matter of who plays less worse. Green has been miserable, showing no signs of improvement in his transition from center to guard. The same issues are taking place, as guys are getting past him at will. Dotson's been injured throughout camp and the preseason once again, and when he's been on the field, he hasn't been anything special. Perhaps Leglue could sneak his way into the starting lineup, although he's seen more as a depth piece.
Backup running back
First off, a lot of this depends on whether the team keeps three or four running backs. If Derek Watt remains on the team, that'll likely make the team more inclined to keep just three running backs. Behind the starter Najee Harris, it's been a full-out battle for the No. 2 running back spot. Jaylen Warren has been very impressive after coming in as an undrafted free agent. He's far from a lock to make the team, but if it were based purely on offensive performances, he should be Harris' primary backup heading into the season.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Veterans Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. have had their moments in camp as well. For Snell specifically, his contribution to special teams likely keeps his spot safe. The team could keep all three, but Sunday's game will help decipher who will get carries this season behind Harris.
Inside linebacker No. 2
This has been another heated battle throughout camp, and much like with left guard, a third option may be creeping into the mind of head coach, Mike Tomlin. That would be rookie seventh-rounder Mark Robinson, who has displayed Vince Williams-esque physicality when he's seen the field. Robinson received some first-team reps earlier in the week for the first time in his short career. Devin Bush and Robert Spillane remain the two primary options, but they offer glaring weaknesses alongside Myles Jack. Bush is nursing an injury, so this job is probably Spillane's to lose heading into the weekend.
Mark Robinson is better than I was as a rookie. I hope he keeps #93
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) August 24, 2022
What are you most looking forward to this weekend? Which of these battles will you pay the most attention to? Who do you think wins each of these aforementioned battles? Let us know your opinion both in the comment section and on our social media sites!
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