Mason Rudolph listed as Steelers backup QB, Kenny Pickett 3rd string on Week 1 depth chart

It’s a procedural practice mandated by the NFL that carries no formal meaning.

But did the Pittsburgh Steelers announce that Mason Rudolph — and not Kenny Pickett — will be in uniform for Sunday’s season opener at the Cincinnati Bengals?

The team released its official depth chart Monday, hours after Mitch Trubisky was named a team captain but continued to decline to confirm he’s been told he is the starting quarterback. Like when the preseason depth chart came out exactly one month ago, though, Trubisky was listed as the first-string quarterback.

Of perhaps more intrigue was at QB2, where veteran Rudolph and first-round pick Pickett were vying to serve as Trubisky’s top backup. Per the depth chart, Rudolph won that gig.

Related:

• Rookie WR Calvin Austin III takes injured reserve designation in stride
• No more 'or' — Kevin Dotson, Devin Bush, Ahkello Witherspoon atop Steelers depth chart
• QB Mitch Trubisky, RB Najee Harris among 5 players named captains by Steelers

A five-year veteran who has started 10 games over his first four seasons with the Steelers, Rudolph was getting second-team reps early on in training camp but over the past three weeks ceded most of that action to Pickett, even in the final two preseason games.

Coach Mike Tomlin’s first news conference of the week is scheduled for noon Tuesday. Tomlin has played coy to this point when pressed to name Trubisky the starter. The coach is expected to confirm that Tuesday. Perhaps he will provide clarity with the top backup role, too.

Steelers official depth chart pic.twitter.com/8Q1uPT75Lg

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 5, 2022

Typically, the Steelers are like most NFL teams in that they have two quarterbacks in uniform for games; a third QB is usually among the gameday inactives.

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