Former Steelers QB Charlie Batch Believes Mitch Trubisky Will Be The Week 1 Starter

Another week has gone by and thus another week of training camp is in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pads were popping and guys were making plays all week long. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated Friday Night Lights practice was cancelled due to inclement weather, but that didn’t stop the team from practicing.

Steelers quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky (10) and Mason Rudolph (2) practicing as Kenny Pickett (8) preps for his rep at Pittsburgh's South Side facility. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)

The Steelers held practice at the South Side facility instead, and they continued to make great progress as they prepare for their first preseason game of 2022 against the Seattle Seahawks.

The biggest question going into the season is who will be the Steelers starting quarterback Week 1? It is a battle between Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Kenny Pickett. There have been mixed reviews on all three of these guys.

We are a long way out from Week 1, but right now former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch believes that Trubisky will be the one under center Week 1. Batch and Bob Pompeani discussed the current situation and depth chart after the team's practice on Saturday. Pompeani asked Batch what he thought about the quarterback battle and the current break down of the depth chart. Here's what Batch had to say:

"I think that rotation will stay the same as the preseason games start. But, I think ultimately Mitch Trubisky. This guy has looked like the game is slowing down for him, the offense, he is picking it up. Today was his best practice... I'm excited about what he brings to the table."

Batch continued by noting how Trubisky has been without some of his top weapons:

"I want to see him work with Chase Claypool, I want to see him work with Pat Freiermuth. Those guys have not been practicing because of injury."

There have been highs and lows for Trubisky, but I believe the absence of these key players are a big part as to why he may potentially be struggling. He was also without newly extended Dionate Johnson, arguably his top weapon, for the majority of camp as Johnson was dealing with his hold-in situation, as well as running back Najee Harris who has been sidelined with a foot injury. Trubisky has practically been operating with one arm behind his back without four of his top play-makers against one of the league's top defenses.

Batch and Pompeani's full breakdown of camp so far can be seen here.

No Excuses For Trubisky

This hasn't been an excuse though. Trubisky stated recently in an interview on Movin' the Chains that he loves the challenge the defense has given him so far, and that he feels there is no better decent to go against to get better every day. He said that it has helped him and the offensive line tremendously.

Another big positive to come out of the absence of these veterans has been the increased playing time for rookie receivers George Pickens and Calvin Austin III. These two rookie receivers have been able to seriously flash their talents and gain some chemistry with Trubisky and the other quarterbacks. Austin in particular had a strong practice Saturday:

Trubisky praised Austin in an interview after practice, saying it feels like due to his speed you can never really underthrow him, and that the team needs to continue to utilize his speed:

Pickens has been dominating as well. He has been flashing off his catch radius, speed, and play-making heavily with his extended reps:

Pickens was recently named the third starting receiver on the Steelers official depth chart. These extra reps are only helping solidify that role. Austin is listed as the fourth string receiver behind Johnson, but this can and likely will change, as long as he keeps capitalizing on his extended reps in practice.

Rookie receiver George Pickens (14) catching balls at practice at Pittsburgh's South Side training facility. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter @JSKO_PHOTO)

Trubisky has a lot of time to either solidify or lose the starting job. If he can get some of his play-makers back, and start stacking good days like the one he had on Saturday together, things could definitely fall into place for Trubisky. He will very likely get his first chance to show what he can do this coming Saturday against the Seahawks. The quarterback competition continues to heat up, and will be a fun one to watch continue to unfold going into this week of practice.

Do you think Trubisky will be the starter? Someone else? Let us know in the comment section below!

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