The Pittsburgh Steelers played their last preseason game on Sunday, and now they face a tough decision.
Do they go with Mitchell Trubisky, or do they shove rookie Kenny Pickett into the fire as starting QB?
Pickett is a fan favorite in Pittsburgh, and his preseason performance made that fan base grow.
However, the Steelers should go with Trubisky, as he’s a safe choice for the team.
But why should they pick him over Pickett, whose preseason has been stellar?
Pickett Hasn’t Faced Tough Defenses Like Trubisky Already Has In His Career
Saying Pittsburgh should wait on Pickett isn’t a knock on him as a player.
However, it’s about his lack of seeing tough defenses in the preseason.
While he found amazing success in the preseason, it wasn’t against first-string defenses.
I like Kenny Pickett to be the future of the Steelers but being successful against "vanilla" defenses in the preseason is a lot different than playing against the Bengals defense week one in Cincinnati. The Bengals were in the SB last season and their defense is the real deal.
— GEORGE PICKENS SZN (@DevinBushFan) August 28, 2022
But Trubisky has seen tough defenses during his career in the NFL.
That experience can alter a game.
With Trubisky having that experience, it makes him a safer bet against teams in the Steelers division.
However, some might point to his poor play while he was the starting quarterback in Chicago.
But others say he’s not that same player from years ago.
Steelers Give Trubisky The Coaching He’s Always Needed
Some players are naturally talented and need little coaching.
However, the story of Trubisky shows a player who saw limited growth because of poor coaching.
low key i’m kinda excited to what trubisky can do. after seeing how awful the coaching staff was with nagy, and how he played when josh allen was hurt, it’ll be fun to see him play with a functioning coaching staff and a decent offensive line https://t.co/FE2BJFDTIw
— ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@cade_8712) June 24, 2022
But Pittsburgh gives him a coaching staff who will work with him, helping him become a quarterback that can find success.
While they can do the same with Pickett, Trubisky has the experience as a starting QB.
The team will see that Trubisky is their present, while Pickett is their future.
Starting Trubisky Protects The Steelers Future QB
The best reason to start Trubisky over Pickett is how it protects the team’s future.
We’ve seen star players from the Steelers leave preseason games with injuries.
Watt is arguably the best player on the Steelers. I don’t agree on him being out there during the lions game unless Tomlin was shooting for undefeated pre season? He’s lucky he didn’t lose him to a more severe knee injury. He will be on the field against Cincy but I bet not 💯 🐅
— Troy (Moose) 🐅🟠⚫️🟧⬛️🏈 (@moose196850) August 29, 2022
The same could happen to Pickett before he’s able to develop into a star QB.
Pittsburgh can’t afford this to happen, as defenses in their division are relentless.
While fans might beg for the Steelers to start their rookie QB, they can’t cave into those demands.
Tomlin Will Name The Starter After Evaluating Everything
While everyone wants to know who will start as QB in Pittsburgh, coach Mike Tomlin isn’t telling anyone.
He wants to go over everything before naming their starter.
Is Mike Tomlin on the fence about starting Pickett? (pun via @kylebrandt 😂)
The @gmfb crew gets into the @steelers starting QB competition. pic.twitter.com/dMjZ4xiOpl
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 29, 2022
Tomlin knows this decision will affect the team for not only 2022, but also beyond.
If he picks the wrong QB, the season can go up in flames.
However, it could be disastrous if he names Pickett starting QB before he’s ready.
It could ruin all the progress fans have seen from Pickett this preseason.
That could also jeopardize the team’s future.
With the Steelers needing a long-term quarterback, they need to protect Pickett.
Tomlin might factor this into his decision before naming their newest starting QB for 2022.
While his decision is difficult, based on the performance of both players in preseason, it’s one he won’t take lightly.
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