Steelers' latest news puts final nail in coffin for QB battle
It's funny how NFL coaches act sometimes. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has abstained from naming a starting quarterback ahead of Week 1 as if the lack of a formal statement would massively change their opponent's preparation. What makes the insistence of not letting fans "know for sure" who's the starter even weirder is […]
It's funny how NFL coaches act sometimes. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has abstained from naming a starting quarterback ahead of Week 1 as if the lack of a formal statement would massively change their opponent's preparation.
What makes the insistence of not letting fans "know for sure" who's the starter even weirder is that… everyone already knows, right?
It's a badly kept secret that gives the Steelers close to no advantage over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tomlin doesn't want anyone to know that the Steelers QB who's gotten every first-team rep in the offseason – as well as every preseason start so far – is the starter of the team. He also doesn't want Pittsburgh fans to know that the first-round rookie that worked with the third-team offense for most of the offseason is not the starter of the team. Come on, man.
Oh, and by the way, Mitch Trubisky is your 2022 team captain. In case you needed one more bit of evidence, the guy has essentially been confirmed as the starter.
Unless the Steelers head coach is doing this big deal out of not revealing his starter is just "for the heck of it," I really don't understand this whole thing.
I'd like to imagine that this is going to turn out to be the ultimate coaching staff version of a flea-flicker in which Pickett surprisingly takes the field next Sunday versus the Bengals. Can you imagine that? I can already see the stunned fans witnessing the scene from the stands and those watching TV staring in awe at a close-up shot of the first-round rookie jogging to the huddle.
That would make the lack of an announcement a legendary tactic from Tomlin.
But let's stop daydreaming. We know that's not happening because it would make even less sense considering how you've managed your reps at quarterback all this time.
Starting Trubisky is the right call for the Steelers, too. Even on a season in which expectations are not that high with a threatening AFC North, there's enough talent on the team to roll with the experienced quarterback who's been to the playoffs before.
I'd bet Pickett will find his way onto the field eventually, but it's Trubisky's job to lose first.
Whether or not Tomlin tells you about it or not.
Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
