When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted former Pitt Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett with the No. 20 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, many assumed the Heisman Trophy finalist would wind up as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2022-23 season. But it looks like he still has a long way to go if he’s going to win the starting job.
The Steelers released their first depth chart of the preseason on Friday evening, and Pickett was not listed as the starter or even the team’s second-string quarterback. The Steelers listed the former Pitt star as third on the depth chart, behind current first-team quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and second-teamer Mason Rudolph.
The news certainly had the NFL world buzzing, but few people seem to be ruling Pickett out of the competition yet.
Kenny Pickett opens as the third QB on the depth chart behind starter Mitchell Trubisky and backup Mason Rudolph. First depth chart is virtually meaningless, but it’ll be a fun preseason watching the QB battle. #HereWeGo https://t.co/XpZJWcRmRI
— Ethan Smith (@mvp_EtHaN) August 5, 2022
*Incoming Kenny Pickett panic for no reason* https://t.co/gNonFVNE2R
— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) August 5, 2022
Excellent Steelers insider @MarkKaboly on Mitch Trubisky being listed as the #1 QB on the Steelers depth chart: "I think they're giving Mitch Trubisky every benefit of the doubt. Mason Rudolph would have to go crazy in the preseason to start week 1."
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 5, 2022
If you go by the Steelers depth chart, there is NO quarterback competition. It's Trubisky and no one else.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 5, 2022
3 NFL training camp bold predictions for Week 1:
– Kenny Pickett wins starting QB job for Steelers.
– Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard will be in a full time-share for Cowboys.
– Jimmy Garoppolo is still a 49er.— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) August 6, 2022
It’s not exactly shocking that Pickett wasn’t listed as the team’s starter as both Trubisky and Rudolph offer much more experience than the rookie, but it still indicates that he has an uphill battle if he’s going to win the starting job ahead of the season opener. In fact, current odds overwhelmingly expect Trubsiky to be Pittsburgh’s starter of the season-opener, replacing former star Ben Roethlisberger.
Some more QB battles to keep an eye on:
Steelers starting QB in Week 1
Mitchell Trubisky -250
Kenny Pickett +170
Panthers starting QB in Week 1
Baker Mayfield -1500
Sam Darnold +600
Falcons starting QB in Week 1
Marcus Mariota -1200
Desmond Ridder +550— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) August 6, 2022
We’re still a long way until the NFL regular season officially opens, but this is certainly a quarterback battle everyone’s going to keep an eye on this fall, even after the season starts.
