Steelers' Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett 'making it difficult for' coaches to name Mitchell Trubisky starter

By most accounts, veteran Mitchell Trubisky has been the leader in the clubhouse to be named the successor to retired future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger and the next starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers throughout the advertised competition that unofficially got underway during springtime workouts.

Trubisky began the midweek atop the depth chart over both career backup Mason Rudolph and first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett, but it was reported Tuesday that "the distance between" Trubisky and Rudolph "isn't that great" heading into Saturday's preseason opener versus the Seattle Seahawks. 

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke later on Tuesday and admitted Trubisky would be his QB1 if he had to prepare for a meaningful game this week. However, it appears Trubisky's lead in the race has somewhat faded throughout training camp practices. 

"They’re making it difficult for us," Tomlin said of the three, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "It’s tough to manage three capable guys, but they’re forcing us to do it because they’re making the necessary plays. They’re anticipating, the timing has been good, [and] the accuracy has been good.

"Mitch’s silver bullet, if you will, is his fluidity and mobility. He’s a really good athlete. Rudolph throws a really good deep ball. [Pickett] has been Steady Eddie. Kenny P, I don’t think you can get him in an environment where he gets flustered. . . . We saw that at Pitt and it’s been the same. It doesn’t matter what drill or what environment you put him in. He’s Steady Eddie and really cool." 

Tomlin seemed to pour cold water over a claim that Pickett allegedly "may not be ready to play exhibitions yet" but also heavily suggested the job remains Trubisky's to lose. Rudolph could, however, alter such conversations with a stellar performance at Acrisure Stadium this weekend.