Steelers Rumors: Mitch Trubisky 'Remains Clear Favorite' to Start at QB

Mitch Trubisky "remains the clear favorite" in the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback battle, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Steelers running back Najee Harris told Fowler that Trubisky "is actually turning a lot of heads in camp."

"He's doing a good job of going through reads and understanding what stuff is, doing a good job of taking on that role," Harris said. "I'm excited to see what he does, myself."

The Steelers list Trubisky as the starter in their unofficial depth chart.

Not only is head coach Mike Tomlin resisting the urge to immediately lean on first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett as the No. 1 option, but Pickett also may not even be guaranteed to back up Trubisky.

Mason Rudolph is listed ahead of Pickett on the depth chart and is getting plenty of attention from the coaching staff.

It could be a case of the Steelers giving Rudolph one last chance before they make a decision on his future. The 27-year-old has thrown for 2,366 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 career appearances, and it's difficult to see him making a major breakthrough.

But one of the biggest draws to Pickett ahead of the draft was that he'd seemingly be more prepared than most of his peers to make the transition to the NFL.

The 2021 ACC Player of the Year spent five years in college and turned 24 in June. He doesn't exactly fit the profile of a raw prospect who should require a lot of seasoning before he's ready to start.

Eyebrows will inevitably be raised if Trubisky is leading the offense in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals rather than Pickett. First-round draft picks are increasingly expected to start right out of the gate, and he certainly shouldn't be struggling to overtake a QB who was marginal at best in his last year as a starter.

But you can at least talk yourself into the idea of Trubisky rebounding as he gets further and further away from the dysfunction that has plagued the Chicago Bears.

If Pickett fails to even beat out Rudolph, then a lot of people will have questions.