The 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers really could be given the title of "end of an era," with three big changes happening from last season to the upcoming 2022 NFL season. The Steelers will now be playing at "Acrisure Stadium," General Manager Omar Khan has taken over for former, but now retired GM Kevin Colbert, and for the first time in 18 years, Ben Roethlisberger is no longer on the team's roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks participate in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) Thursday May 26, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
It's the talk of the town right now and everyone in Pittsburgh is getting questions about the QB battle. The competition is between incumbent QB Mason Rudolph, veteran free agent signee QB Mitch Trubisky, and 2022 first round rookie QB Kenny Pickett. The real discussion has been between Trubisky and Pickett to determine who will be starting games in 2022 for the franchise.
On Monday, Steelers outside linebacker, Alex Highsmith joined the Movin’ The Chains show on SiriusXM NFL Radio. He spoke about a number of topics including of course, the team's battle at the quarterback position.
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 24: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) takes part in a drill during the team's OTA practice, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Highsmith was asked, what does he see when he watches Trubisky?
"It's been great watching the two of them compete and just get better every single day," the Steelers exciting third-year edge rusher stated. "Mitch is a guy who is coming in that's been to the playoffs before and he's an experienced quarterback. So, what he brings to the table is awesome. It's been cool to get to know him and just see the way he works and carries himself every single day. It's pretty awesome."
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 24: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) takes part in a drill during the team's OTA practice, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Highsmith continued by answering the same question about Pickett:
"Kenny as well, just him coming in as a rookie and having the mind set that he has to just be great," Highsmith stated emphatically. "I see the way he carries himself and he's always just one of those guys that's really working hard at practice and you know asking older guys.I can see him and Mitch developing that chemistry, just really developing a relationship so that Mitch will be able to teach him some things. I'm just excited to see how those two guys just continue to work, continue to compete. So, I'm just excited about what lies ahead for them."
It's an interesting, yet, exciting time in the Steel City in regards to the quarterback competition, for everyone involved. It seems like both guys have a real chance to take the job to start Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Highsmith is not the only member of the team that has been asked about the QB competition this off-season.
"Mitch, of course, the most seasoned, the most veteran quarterback in the room and you know this is his fourth system he’s been in, so he’s a little bit more well versed in adapting and kind of picking things up trying to translate his brain, so to speak, and go out there and produce," QBs coach Mike Sullivan stated in an interview with Steelers' reporter Missi Matthews during Organized Team Activities (OTAs)."Kenny Pickett coming in, is working his tail off, I mean I got to kick him out of the room. I mean he’s always in there putting in extra effort and picking things up."
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