At least for now, it’s Mitch Trubisky’s show.
Trubisky is on the verge of completing Steelers OTAs and minicamp as the team’s top quarterback, having spent his time with the first team offense this spring.
That could change, of course, when the team gathers at the end of July and goes through minicamp and preseason games.
But, as it stands, Trubisky has proven to coaches that he’s most equipped to lead the offense.
“I’m preparing to be the starter,” Trubsiky said Wednesday at Pittsburgh’s minicamp. “No matter what position you’re in, that’s what you should prepare like. We’re all pushing each other, we’re all competing every day. I wouldn’t read too much into (the quarterback order), but I’m getting a lot of good reps. I feel really comfortable in the offense.”
That order is Trubisky first, followed by another veteran in Mason Rudolph. First-round pick Kenny Pickett is third on the depth chart and fellow rookie, Chris Oladokun, is fourth.
Because of all of his reps with the first team, Trubisky feels that he’s been able to find a rhythm with the Steelers’ top playmakers in the early going.
“We’re definitely building,” he said. “We’ve got some great connections going on with Chase (Claypool), Diontae (Johnson), Pat (Freiermuth) and Najee (Harris) and the rest of the guys. We’ve got a talented group here.
“We’re getting closer to normal football. It’s nice to get more 11 on 11 work. We’re just continuing to build and build that chemistry on offense and continuing to progress.”
The Steelers are hoping to implement more of offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s scheme this season now that a more immobile quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, is no longer with the team following his retirement.
How much influence Trubisky will have, and how he works with Canada, will be one of the more intriguing developments when camp begins on July 26.
“We’re still working through all of that together,” Trubisky said. “In a situation like a two-minute (drill), at the end, we’re talking through certain calls that I like at the end of a game. Right now, we’re really just trying to install the offense, put everything in, see what’s working, see what we like and what we don’t, and just continue to talk through that.
“He has his favorites, I have mine and we’re just meshing those. Constant communication is the key. We’re just going through that. The playbook is huge. You just have to figure out what you’re good at, do it well, and execute.”
Beyond learning the offense, the former Bears and Bills quarterback also is trying to connect with his teammates, all while engaging in an active position battle.
“I feel like it’s important to be myself,” Trubisky said. “If I come in here, be me, be a leader for this offense and a guy that other guys can come to, talk to, and learn from, and go out out on the field and work hard with, then I’ll earn that respect and trust. All I’m trying to do is be myself.”
The Steelers, following Thursday’s final minicamp session, will get about seven weeks off before training camp opens. Trubisky plans on spending his time in his hometown of Mentor, Ohio, hosting a youth football camp.
He’ll then head to Florida, where Pickett confirmed that he and Trubisky will workout together some, as they both — along with Rudolph — will prepare to enter camp with a lot to learn, with something to prove, and something even bigger to gain.
“It’s non-stop,” Trubisky said. “It’s a never-ending work in progress.”