Steelers Practice Report: QB Competition Update, Fautanu Talks Growth
is there a real quarterback competition? Nick Farabaugh and Alan Saunders break down what they've learned on that front.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers took the field for the first time during their three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex—many updates from around the team, including whether the quarterback competition was real.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth spoke about Justin Fields and Russell Wilson and how those two will compete. Smith went as far as to say it was indeed a competition but referred to Mike Tomlin’s ‘pole position’ line, which states that Wilson is taking the first-team reps.
In addition, Troy Fautanu was praised by offensive line coach Pat Meyer for his malleable style of play and his ability to learn different positions along the offensive line. But why can’t Dan Moore Jr. do the same? Meyer explained why that was the case and how Broderick Jones and Fautanu could learn from both sides while young, but Moore, who was entering his fourth year, could not do the same things.
Lastly, Mike Tomlin spoke about his contract extension and revealed that Najee Harris’ absence was simply an excused absence for an appointment that was set before the minicamp started.
Additionally, Nick and Alan talked to multiple players and coaches throughout the day, including Zach Frazier and running backs coach Eddie Faulkner, who gave insightful answers into Pittsburgh’s expected run game under Smith and what they plan to do with all the talent they have in the backfield and the refurbished offensive line room.
All that and more in today’s Pittsburgh Steelers Practice Report.
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