Steelers Camp Takeaways: Mitch Trubisky Shows High-End Potential (+)

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Mitch Trubisky has not had a super-consistent start to his Pittsburgh Steelers career at training camp this month as the team’s presumptive starting quarterback.

That somewhat up-and-down start is what has led to Mason Rudolph’s consistency and Kenny Pickett’s rising trajectory making it look a true three-way battle coming into the first week of preseason.

It’s been easy to forget that Trubisky was the No. 2 overall draft pick for good reason, but there have been times this week where he’s jogged the memory banks.

Trubisky threw a picture-perfect pass to Chase Claypool in the back of the end zone during seven shots on Tuesday, elevating the ball on only where the big receiver could come down with. He also made a great read to get free an a bootleg to his left, showing off his athleticism. He was the best quarterback on the field by a long shot.

But there are also those other reps that stand out in a bad way. Monday, he missed Diontae Johnson by several yards on a slant route in he end zone. His passes to the boundary sideline on the short side haven’t been as accurate as you’d like and he’s thrown more interceptions than ideal.

If Trubisky can clean up those negative reps and be a little bit more consistent, and especially if he can do it in a preseason setting, he certainly has the talent to put this competition to bed in fairly short order.

INVERSE RAIN DELAY 

Instead of getting to the practice field for the usual 1:55 p.m. start and having a forecasted thunderstorm delay things, the team got ahead of the game, with a 10:30 a.m. start time, wrapping up just before the rain hit.

“It is our preference to practice in the heat of the day, we believe it aids in team development, particularly from a conditioning standpoint,” Mike Tomlin said. “But we have a hardcore plan, we remain light on our feet and do what it is that we need to do in an effort to get the work done. I appreciate the spirit and intention of the guys, they woke up this morning and woke up to a schedule change, and that’s an awesome part of team development as well. Oftentimes there are going to be things outside of our control that we have to adjust to, flight delays, et cetera. But at the same time, when it’s time to play, we’re going to be responsible for the play, lightning delays, and so we always approach subtle changes and adjustments we have to make in that spirit, understanding that it’s preparing us for the journey.”

TOUGH SLEDDING

Jaylen Warren is making a legitimate charge to make the team as an undrafted rookie running back. He had probably the best run of camp on Tuesday, a nice 20-yarder with a couple broken tackles.