The hot topic for the Pittsburgh Steelers all off-season has been who will be the starting quarterback come September. President Art Rooney II, former General Manager Kevin Colbert, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin shocked us all when they announced the signing of veteran quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the opening moments of this year's free agency period, followed by drafting first round selection, quarterback, Kenny Pickett. They also drafted quarterback, Chris Oladokun in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, all of this on top of already having long-time backup quarterback, Mason Rudolph on the roster waiting in the wings.
This might be the first time ever in Steelers history where we've seen this much of an open competition heading into a regular season, with each quarterback bringing something different to the table, all having a chance to start Week 1.
All four Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks participate in Organized Team Activities (OTA's) at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in 2022. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
The last time we saw something this similar was in 1996. Bob Labriola of Steelers.com gave his insight on his Asked and Answered segment late last month. Read here:
"In 1996, it [QB competition] contained three – Mike Tomczak, Jim Miller, and Kordell Stewart – and this is how it unfolded:During training camp and a 2-3 preseason that ended for the Steelers with wins over St. Louis and Tampa Bay at Three Rivers Stadium and losses to San Diego in Tokyo, in Green Bay, and in Philadelphia, Coach Bill Cowher named second-year pro Jim Miller the starter and veteran Mike Tomczak the backup, while second-year pro Kordell Stewart went back to his role of 'Slash.' In the opener against the Jaguars in Jacksonville, Miller finished 5-of-10 for 47 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions, but he did miss a wide-open Mark Bruener in the end zone on a third-and-9 from the Jaguars 11-yard line late in the half with the Steelers trailing, 7-3. Then in the first two series of the second half, Miller was sacked to force a punt, and on the second, the Steelers again settled for a short red-zone field goal. Cowher pulled Miller at that point in the game and replaced him with Tomczak, and that effectively was the end of Miller's career in Pittsburgh. The Steelers lost that game, too."
Miller was drafted in the sixth round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Steelers, 178th overall. Quarterback Neil O'Donnell left Pittsburgh for free agency in 1996 which initiated the QB competition between Miller, Tomczak and Stewart. After struggling in Pittsburgh during his short tenure, Miller was eventually released right before the 1997 regular season in favor of Mike Quinn. Tomczak didn't have his contract renewed in 1999, and although Stewart made the Pro Bowl in 2001, he was eventually benched for Tommy Maddox in 2002.
Fast forward to the 2022 Steelers
A recently retired Ben Roethlisberger plays the extremely enhanced version of O'Donnell as the departing Super Bowl-competing leader on offense, while the remaining quarterback room comprised of both youth and experience in Trubisky, Rudolph, and Pickett, become the new age Stewart, Tomczak and Miller. But will the 2022 season end like it did in 1996 where Pittsburgh never found their next answer at quarterback after having a few viable options early in the season?
Early reports coming from OTA's, specifically from former Steelers outside linebacker and Steelers Live host, Arthur Moats, is that Trubisky looks like the clear QB1 right now. If he's destined to be the Week 1 starter come September, is it possible he could get pulled too as early as the very first game in favor of Pickett or even Rudolph?
Steelers' QB Mitch Trubisky makes a pass in OTA's (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
There's also a scenario where with the help of running back, Najee Harris, tight end, Pat Freiermuth, a revamped offensive line, and wide receivers Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, and Calvin Austin III, Trubisky simply thrives. This, along with an elite TJ Watt / Cameron Heyward-led defense, and top tier coaching staff, Trubisky has all the tools to take this team as far as it needs to go for years to come. Not to mention the untapped potential of starting a kid like Pickett as an alternative. The sky is the limit for either choice.
So, what do yinz think? Are we destined to see this quarterback room fizzle out like it did back in 1996? Or maybe, just maybe, does Pittsburgh already have the heir to the thrown on the roster at the quarterback position? Click to comment below!
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