The Pittsburgh Steelers are almost two weeks into their training camp in Latrobe, and early signs and news from the media covering the team is not promising when it comes to the high profile QB competition between Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph.
Despite the competition seeming to be close, oddsmakers from SportsBetting.ag still believe this is Trubisky's job to lose.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10), participates during 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers QB Competition Still Features a Heavy Favorite?
Trubisky is a heavy favorite at -250 to start Week 1 for the Steelers against the Cincinnati Bengals, despite getting a decent amount of scrutiny for how he has performed so far at Steelers training camp. He was recently named the number one option on the official Steelers depth chart released Friday night.
Pickett, the Steelers first-round selection and 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has considerably higher odds as a second choice at +170.
Rudolph, whom the media and fans have touted as the best quarterback at camp as we approach the third week of practice, is not even an option.
Is Rudolph Getting Too Much Disrespect?
Rudolph not being an option on the website may seem like a surprise to some Steelers fans. Rudolph, a former Oklahoma State Cowboy and third round pick of the Steelers in 2018, is in his fifth season with the Steelers and has started 10 games over the past two years, going 5-4-1. In 2019, former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger tore a ligament in his elbow during a Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks and was forced to miss the rest of the season, which paved the way for Rudolph to prove he can be a viable replacement for Roethlisberger in the future.
Rudolph ended up struggling with keeping the starting spot that season, being replaced by Devlin "Duck" Hodges multiple times throughout the season. Now, he's got another chance to prove he can be the Steelers QB of the future, even though there may be a chance he won't be on the team by the time the season rolls around.
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 10: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Los Angeles Rams on November 10, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Is There Potential Value with a Bet on Kenny Pickett?
Even though it may not seem like it, are we undervaluing Pickett's chances at starting Week 1? The rookie out of Pitt was the oldest quarterback in the draft (24) and the first QB taken. He was highly regarded as the "most pro-ready" QB in the class, having gone through five years of football at Pitt. Furthermore, he already knows a lot of the offensive play sheets and verbiage because Matt Canada recruited him to Pitt and was at Pitt for his first season.
On top of all of that, Pickett seems to be riding a ton of momentum through training camp. He is now getting reps with the second-team and has been performing very well, making accurate throws and proving he can stay in the pocket and keep the play alive before escaping with his legs.
Pickett threw for over 12,000 career yards at Pitt and recorded 81 touchdowns to just 32 interceptions. His super senior season is what catapulted him into first round pick territory, throwing for over 4,300 yards and recording a 42-7 TD-INT ratio in just 13 games. He set multiple Pitt records and broke the ACC record for most passing yards in a season while playing the most pro-style defenses in the country, which eventually was one of the reasons why he was distinguished as "most pro-ready."
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 11: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburg Panthers celebrates after a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
What do you think, #SteelerNation? Who would you start Week 1 if you were the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Is Kenny Pickett ready enough to take over the helm immediately, or should Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph start until Pickett is ready? Let me know in the comments below or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
