Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is taking things into his own hands when it comes to getting to know his teammates. With mini camp still over a month away, he reportedly will host Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins, Najee Harris and the rest of his potential passing targets at his home in Florida over the weekend. This report comes from NFL Network reporter, Aditi Kinkhabwala.
Remember Mitch Trubisky talking about coming into Pittsburgh and leading right away? He’s having the #Steelers pass-catchers and the other QBs (Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins) down to his FL home this weekend to throw and hang out. I’m told RB Najee Harris is going too.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) April 5, 2022
This speaks volumes that this guy is serious about getting to know his teammates, bonding with them, and getting down to business. This is something you love to see out of your potential starting quarterback. It’s the thing that former franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did when he would host his playmakers at his house in Georgia in the off-season.
The relationship between starting quarterbacks and their back-ups is always interesting. Some teams have veteran back-ups that are being paid like starters. They're just there to get their paycheck and step into the game in a pinch. Then there are some teams who have an aging veteran superstar, like Aaron Rodgers, and they draft a young kid to potentially replace him. The resentment can get heavy sometimes in those situations.
The Steelers signed Mitchell Trubisky on the first day of the NFL FA tampering period.
Trubisky and Rudolph are in a different type of situation. And it's one that could be down right ugly if you have the wrong personalities in the situation. Rudolph bided his time waiting for Roethlisberger to retire, and not even two months after Roethlisberger retires, the team brings in another quarterback to presumably take his promotion that he's been waiting for. Now Rudolph said in a recent interview that he still believes he will be the Steelers starting quarterback. But magic eight ball says 'Don't count on it'.
We don't know the type of relationship Trubisky and Rudolph had going into this situation. Maybe they were already friends, so that may have helped. But regardless, it's good to see that Trubisky wants to gather his teammates together and just have a fun weekend.
It’s a great way for them to get to really know one another, and start building some chemistry. Trubisky is coming to his third team and city, and in each one he’s been to, it seems he’s been consistent in who he is. His former, and now current teammate James Daniels mentioned what a fantastic teammate Trubisky was when they both played together with the Chicago Bears. In a 1-on-1 interview with Steelers.com, reporter Mike Prisuta said he felt Trubisky had the chance to do something special. This may just seem like a simple gesture, but could be the first step in doing just that.
There is no downside for the Steelers if Rudolph and Trubisky are friends. Even if Trubisky wins the starting job, it's possible that at some time Rudolph might have to come in and step up if the opportunity presents itself. Having them be on the same page will be beneficial to everyone.
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