Mike Tomlin confirms Mitch Trubisky as Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting QB, rookie Kenny Pickett as backup

Mitch Trubisky will start Sunday’s week one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Cincinnati Bengals, coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday.

Trubisky, who was voted one of the Steelers’ five captains Monday, was listed as a starter on the depth chart released Monday, but Tomlin had not publicly announced his decision.

“We’re just really happy with what Mitch showed us,” Tomlin said, also citing Trubisky’s experience as a franchise quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

Rookie Kenny Pickett, who was selected by Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2022 draft, will be the backup quarterback and Tomlin said the Steelers are happy with his development.

Veteran Mason Rudolph is the No. 3 quarterback.

Monday’s initial depth chart had Rudolph listed as a backup, with Pickett at No. 3. The order was adjusted Tuesday before Tomlin’s press conference, and the coach called the mix-up a “spelling error.”

Trubisky, a veteran who signed a two-year, $14.2 million contract in free agency, was the favorite in a three-man race heading to training camp. Trubisky, a former No. 2 overall for the Chicago Bears in 2016, came to Pittsburgh after a year as Josh Allen’s backup with the Buffalo Bills.

He started in all three preseason games that year and had 24 of 34 attempts for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He seemingly sealed the starting spot in the final game of preseason when he played the entire first half and closed the second quarter with an efficient 1 minute 20 second touchdown drive, completing all six attempts for 83 yards.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.