The Pittsburgh Steelers officially began training camp practices on Thursday. The team arrived at Chuck Noll Field in Latrobe, PA sporting spiffy new practice uniforms for the offense and the defense. The Steelers are at the shorts and helmets stage of training camp, so certain positions that demand physicality are hard to assess.
Lucy Schaly/Post-Gazette
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett throws during Day 1 of training camp.
Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs are the featured players in these types of practices. They took center stage when Mike Tomlin paired up the team for 7 on 7 drills. Kenny Pickett looked sharp in his first action of the summer and had several nice throws.
What an absolute dime by Kenny Pickett. 💰 #HereWeGo #Steelers
— DJ (@steelers_n6tion) July 27, 2023
pic.twitter.com/DXCMwGYtHM
Pickett is comfortably entrenched as the starter in Pittsburgh. Mitch Trubisky has a tight lock on the backup role. The only competition at the position is the battle for the third-string quarterback. Mason Rudolph re-signed with the Steelers in the offseason and should be able to secure the position over undrafted free agent Tanner Morgan with a solid camp performance. He got off to a shaky start on Thursday.
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph Faces Fierce Training Camp Battle According To Arthur Moats
Rudolph has not had any meaningful reps since last year's training camp when he was competing with Pickett and Trubisky, hoping to win the starting job. Last summer, Rudolph did an exceptional job protecting the football in camp. Unfortunately, it took only one practice for Rudolph to turn the ball over in 2023.
Mason Rudolph throws a beautiful pass here!@Mazursky8895 vid creds pic.twitter.com/6Cm4phi8Tt
— Dylan🔮🪼 (@dillybar2145) July 27, 2023
The former starter for the Steelers was looking at one of the biggest targets in the NFL, Darnell Washington. Washington is so big, that Elijah Riley, who did a fine job jumping the route, looks like he is half of the massive Washington's size. SteelerNation's Managing Editor Brandon Wallace (TwitterX: @BWall) observed practice and was more impressed with Riley than concerned about the veteran quarterback.
Riley was probably my standout today. He had the early INT and the Steelers look like they want to use him on defense in some capacity (slot or safety).
— B-Wall (@BWall) July 27, 2023
Rudolph and Calvin really struggled today, but it’s EARLY! I’m not worried. It’s only Day 1.
Kenny looked great. #HereWeGo
One great play by a defensive back in training camp is not a reason to panic about Rudolph. He is a veteran who has starting NFL experience and one training camp interception is meaningless. Rudolph, assuming he completely knocks the rust off this weekend, is a luxury for the Steelers. If disaster strikes, very few teams could turn to a third-string quarterback that has a winning record in the NFL.
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers safety Elijah Riley (37) intercepts Mason Rudolph on Day 1 of training camp at Saint Vincent College In Latrobe, PA in 2023.
Rudolph has taken his fair share of heat during his Pittsburgh career. It was not going to be an easy ride for anyone who was tabbed as Ben Roethlisberger's successor. Rudolph prematurely embraced the role a little too fervently. Roethlisberger was not ready to surrender his position as the Steelers' franchise quarterback. Rudolph has paid a steep price ever since.
Getty Images
Steelers' Mason Rudolph tries to stiff arm Bobby Wagner in 2019.
That narrative should be done, the bill is paid. The veteran quarterback had good reason to explore free agency. Whether you believe it was because he had no other option, or he chose to return, Rudolph is a very capable backup and has earned some slack by returning to Pittsburgh to pick up a clipboard.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Has Rudolph finally earned the benefit of the doubt from the fan base? Please comment below, or on my TwitterX @thebubbasq.
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