Steelers Monday Camp Report: Trubisky to Pickens Magic

While loud pops resonated over the fields of Latrobe, the untouchable three-headed monster at quarterback - Trubisky, Rudolph, and Pickett - remained pristine in the backfield. Evading what would’ve been surefire sacks in real action, all three quarterbacks demonstrated great awareness to step out of the pocket and make plays with everything breaking down around them. This often led to Trubisky taking off past the line of scrimmage, while Rudolph and Pickett hung around in the backfield searching downfield for open receivers.

Considering the dearth of first-team receiving options at the quarterbacks’ disposal this early in training camp (Diontae Johnson’s hold-in continues as Claypool and Friermuth are out with injury), today needed to be a day the younger receivers stepped up.

Continuing to make his case as 2022 camp phenom, George Pickens took advantage of every ball thrown his way, competing for contested catches against defensive backs Witherspoon and Sutton. On one occasion, Pickens dove for an underthrown ball from Trubisky, undercutting the coverage of his defender before the ball hit the ground. Pickens is earning every positive word coming his way out of camp, snagging tough catches and showing incredible bounce and athleticism after the catch. Elsewhere, Anthony Miller continued to show improved chemistry with Trubisky on the deep ball, proving a full year in the Steelers’ system is paying off. On the other hand, I would’ve expected Miles Boykin to show off a little more considering his size but aside from the occasional contested catch, little has come his way.

While the skill position players made plays with the ball in-hand, there was a definite lack of cohesion along the offensive line, leading to two false starts and multiple batted balls. In individual drills among the o-linemen, first-year Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer and assistant Isaac Williams preached the importance of good “pad level” and technique, but will likely stress the importance of timing the snap during tomorrow’s session. Amongst the starters, Dan Moore Jr and Mason Cole looked comfortable enough stepping into their second and first years respectively in the black and gold.

While it was a crisp series of practices highlighted by improved run defense and young wide-outs making plays, there were teachable moments for this group of young Steelers. In some of his only action thus far in camp, seventh-round quarterback Chris Oladokun threw an interception to defensive back CarlinsPlatel off an out route and later on, appeared visibly upset after throwing behind newly-acquired wide-out Javon McKinley. Oladokun’s best shot this year is certainly on the practice squad.

Amongst a group of young players staking their claim to a roster spot, rookie linebacker Mark Robinson of Mississippi and running back Jaylen Warren of Oklahoma State made an impact in backs on backers, eliciting some “oohs and ahhs” from the crowd of Steelers faithful. Warren drew exceptional praise from Mike Tomlin post-practice, who applauded the young back’s “appetite for competition.”

Fielding other pertinent questions from the media, Tomlin touched on Najee’s status (not a “major deal”), the current revolving door at quarterback (he won’t worry about it, but knows you will), and the occasional dose of good news from the front office.

Shortly after practice, it was reported that Chris Boswell had signed a four-year contract extension, making him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history alongside Justin Tucker. It’s well-deserved and a testament to the worth of training camp practices and tryouts. Even long shots such as Boswell, who was signed following a tryout in 2015, had to start somewhere. Now, many close games this year will likely rest on Boswell’s right foot. Let’s just all hope he watches where he’s going and doesn’t wind up next on the injury report.