Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats commented on the quarterback battle between Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky. He shared some information about the ongoing duel between them in Pittsburgh on his YouTube podcast The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke over the weekend. Moats shared that Trubisky and Pickett were going to work out together in Florida over the next few weeks to prepare for their upcoming training camp battle. Eric "Deke" DeKlaven stated:
“What’s that one saying? Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. You see what Pickett is doing? Between now and training camp, he is going down to Florida to work with Mitch.”
Someone should inform the two players they are supposed to be locked in a mortal struggle for the starting quarterback position of the Steelers. Mike Tomlin, Mike Sullivan, Matt Canada and David Corley deserve a lot of credit for fostering an environment that the two players feel comfortable enough with each other to train together in preparation for the 2022 season. It demonstrates that no matter who wins the battle, they intend on supporting each other through the upcoming war. Moats replied:
“You know why, he needs to learn. That would be good, That’s good. Trust me I’m happy for him. I like the energy from Mitch too, it goes both ways, but at the same time you also, you’re not shying away from the competition. You know what it is, hey we drafted you 20th overall, I know why you’re here. I know what your goal is, you want to be the starter and I want to be the starter. We both were their favorites. We both were their number one choice. So, what make you more special than me?”
(L-R) Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky | Justin Berl/Getty Images; Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images
Trubisky is getting a second chance with the Steelers to display the characteristics that made him the number two pick overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He took his lumps in his career and it may be that he has accepted that a bridge/top backup quarterback in the NFL can earn a lot of money if teams believe he is a good mentor, good teammate and wants to compete, but not burn bridges between himself and his competition. I believe strongly that Trubisky sees this as his chance to reignite his career and prove he should be a starting NFL quarterback, but based on his career to date, understands that he does not want to be out of the league if it does not work out.
Pickett is not a polished product despite what some in the media and fanbase are saying. That is not a criticism. He was a fifth-year starter in a very weak conference in college last year at Pitt. I would agree he was the most pro-ready quarterback in this year’s draft, but there is a reason no other quarterback was taken until the third round in 2022. If he gets a chance to sit for a year or two behind a solid performance from Trubisky, it is not a bad thing. NFL quarterbacks used to sit for three to five years without seeing the field, and the salary cap strategy of winning with a quarterback on a rookie deal has only recently become viable. If Pickett sits for a significant amount of time due to an outstanding performance by Trubisky, it becomes a nice problem to have, and you may extend his window of lower salaries to six to seven years, rather than a max contract at five.
“I think that’s the energy you are supposed to have. Remember, we talked about Mason [Rudolph], if you're Mason, I want you to have that energy as well. When he’s shying away, it’s like whatever.”
Moats was interrupted by DeKlaven who asked him: “Mason don’t get that invite to Florida?”
“Nah, it's there. It’s there. Diontae [Johnson] didn’t show though, (referring to Trubisky previously bringing offense together in Tampa). It’s not a negative, Diontae didn’t pull up, remember he said he was going to work out on his own. I wasn’t a group workout guy; I’m cool, I want to do it on my own.” Moats replied.
Rudolph is barely being mentioned at this point in the off-season and is obviously an afterthought to the media and the fanbase. Rudolph has been a good soldier, but like Landry Jones before him, I think he is USFL bound to rebuild his career. I do not see him as a solid backup for teams, because he is absent from the mentor conversation in regard to Trubisky or Pickett.
If you are not a regular viewer of The Arthur Moats Experience with Deke podcast on YouTube, you can catch the entire segment here. Moats shares a great James Harrison story towards the end of the segment that I recommend you watch, it is very entertaining.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you excited to hear that the potential starting quarterbacks are working together to prep for the 2022 season to put the best possible product on the field? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
