Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett obtained first-team snaps throughout apply this week. He’ll obtain extra of them in opposition to higher competitors in Pittsburgh’s second preseason sport, which is in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin informed reporters Thursday that Mitchell Trubisky will get the starting nod, however Pickett will even get reps with the first-team offense.
“We merely need to see Kenny in additional varsity motion,” Tomlin stated. “We know extra about Mason [Rudolph]. Mitch has been across the skilled sport, clearly. So, this can be a massive week for [Pickett] when it comes to perhaps getting within the first half of this sport and I might think about getting the chance to see frontline defenders for Jacksonville.”
Pickett has nonetheless largely taken snaps with the Steelers’ second unit in apply.
Trubisky began the Steelers’ first preseason sport in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks, main Pittsburgh on an opening-drive landing. The drive was capped off by a 13-yard landing cross to Gunner Olszewski. Trubisky completed the evening 4-for-7 on passing makes an attempt with 63 yards and the landing.
Rudolph, coming into his fifth season with the Steelers, picked up the place Trubisky left off, finishing 9-of-15 passes for 93 yards. His evening was highlighted by a 26-yard landing cross to rookie huge receiver George Pickens.
Pickett, the No. 20 decide within the 2022 draft, had a glowing debut. The University of Pittsburgh product completed the evening with 95 passing yards and two touchdowns on 13-for-15 passing, taking what the protection gave him. Pickett’s effectivity probably tightens Pittsburgh’s quarterback competitors.
“They moved their items,” Mike Tomlin said of his QBs. “They did the casual issues related to the place from a management and communication standpoint. They had been engaged. It was an excellent first day out for all three.”
Drew Lock contracts COVID-19 after rising first-team reps, Geno Smith nonetheless holding QB1 spot
Despite Geno Smith’s lead within the Seahawks’ quarterback derby, head coach Pete Carroll pegged Drew Lock to begin Thursday’s preseason sport in opposition to the Chicago Bears. Those plans have been foiled, nonetheless, as Lock examined constructive for COVID-19 and will likely be sidelined for the competition. This robs the 25-year-old QB of a vital alternative to push Smith for the starting job.
Earlier Tuesday, Lock acquired prolonged reps with the first team in apply and had two notable completions to Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
Since buying and selling Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, the Seahawks have had a fluid quarterback state of affairs with Lock and Smith, who began three video games for Seattle final season when Wilson suffered a finger damage. The state of affairs stays all of the extra fluid after the team’s loss to Pittsburgh.
Serving because the team’s starter, Smith completed the sport with 101 passing yards on 10-of-15 passing whereas additionally operating in a 2-yard landing. The veteran seems to have the higher hand within the quarterback battle given his familiarity with the Seahawks’ offense; Smith, 31, is coming into his fourth season with Seattle.
On the opposite hand, Lock completed the sport with 102 passing yards and two touchdowns on 11-for-15 passing. The fourth-year quarterback began on and off in Denver, sometimes flaunting starting potential.
Mayfield, who was lately acquired from the Cleveland Browns, began for the Panthers and completed with 45 passing yards on 4-for-7 passing. Darnold, the team’s major quarterback in 2021, was impactful in short reps. The fifth-year quarterback was 2-for-3, together with an 8-yard landing to Rashard Higgins. Walker, whose roster spot is in jeopardy given the team’s acquisition of Mayfield, acquired probably the most taking part in time of the bunch, throwing for 136 yards on 10-for-19 passing.
Corral, who Carolina traded up to choose with the No. 94 decide within the 2022 draft, completed 1-for-9 for 11 yards.
Mayfield and Darnold look like the frontrunners to begin, nonetheless, given Mayfield’s 4 years of expertise starting for the Browns and Darnold coming into his second season with the Panthers.
“They had been each in command,” Rhule said of Mayfield and Darnold. “Sam acquired us ultimately zone, Baker led us down the sphere, so it appeared like each guys performed nicely when it comes to manufacturing. We’ll return and look and see the place they’re.”
Get extra from National Football LeagueFollow your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra.
