Unheralded Steelers QB to Play Against Buccaneers

UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Steelers have four quarterbacks. You know the top three in Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph, but their fourth quarterback, Tanner Morgan, often does not get much run at training camp. But it appears that he will get some real run in their first preseason against the Buccaneers, as Gerry Dulac noted, all of the quarterbacks will play on Friday night.

“It’s all about a mindset,” Morgan said. “Whatever the play is given and just being a little bit aggressive if the calculated risk is there. It could get me in trouble here and there, but it’s about making the most out of every play and doing whatever I can.”

Pickett will only play one series, opening up the door for more reps for Morgan. The starting quarterback played significant amounts of time in the preseason last year with the quarterback battle ongoing, but as the entrenched starter this year, it appears that Mike Tomlin will only get the quarterback warmed up for when the team’s actual dress rehearsal is either against the Buffalo Bills or the Atlanta Falcons.

“I’m comfortable with the number of games, but I’m always trying to figure out what’s appropriate in terms of work for this group individually and collectively,” Tomlin said. “We’ve got some young guys developing. While at the same time they have experience, it’s good to go through the process of game readiness, finding that rhythm and going out and executing, so I’m excited about participation.”

So, the Steelers going that avenue opens up the door for Morgan to show more of what he is made of in a game setting. There were a lot of guys, such as Chris Oladokun, who never received many reps. Others such as Josh Dobbs and Duck Hodges could be thrown in the same bucket. Most of them did not get many practice reps but they did end up playing a bit in the preseason. If Morgan wants to make his shine, it has to be in the stadium on days such as Friday.

“You’re always competing with yourself to get the best out of yourself every day,” Morgan said. “That’s the way I look at it. I need to do the best I can and make the most out of opportunity.”

Morgan did not know immediately if he would play against the Buccaneers, but it appears he will have his opportunity to show what he can do on Friday.