Mitch no shoo-in as Steelers’ starter
Mitch Trubisky might not have the handle on the Steelers’ quarterback job that he thought he did.
After signing a two-year, $14 million deal with the Steelers on the first day of free agency, Trubisky watched the team draft Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round Thursday.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Saturday on NFL Network that Pickett, who was thought to be the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft, ‘‘certainly has a chance’’ to start right away. He’ll compete with Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.
‘‘I agree with that sentiment of [Pickett’s] readiness from a professional perspective,’’ Tomlin said. ‘‘We thought he had pro-level anticipation; we thought he had pro-level accuracy. Oftentimes, those are two variables that really require a lot of adjustment from a quarterbacking standpoint. We felt he came ready-made in those ways, and hopefully that’s an asset to him in terms of being able to compete and being ready if performance dictates it.’’
Trubisky finds himself in a similar situation to former Bears quarterback Mike Glennon in 2017. After Glennon signed a three-year, $45 million contract, the Bears drafted Trubisky in the first round. Glennon lasted four games before the Bears turned to Trubisky.
Will Trubisky start any games before the Steelers turn to Pickett? He’ll have to win the job first.
Seahawks’ Bryant must live up to name
The Seahawks addressed one of their biggest needs with one of the most interesting names in the draft, selecting Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant with their fourthround pick.
After confirming he was named after the late NBA legend, Bryant was asked whether there was any pressure in being named after one of the great basketball players of all time.
‘‘Not really pressure,’’ Bryant said on a conference call. ‘‘More of a privilege, honestly. It just means I have to work twice as hard to live up to that name and set a name for myself, as well, and, most importantly, represent him as well as I can.’’
Bryant said his parents were massive Kobe Bryant fans while growing up in Ohio. They gave their son’s name a different spelling, so it would have some individuality.
Bucs pick TE; Gronk return still up in air
The Buccaneers selected a tight end to start the fourth round of the draft, taking Washington’s Cade Otton with the 106th overall pick, but general manager Jason Licht said that would not affect the status of Rob Gronkowski, who remains undecided about playing this coming season.
‘‘I’m still giving him that time,’’ Licht said before making the pick. ‘‘We still talk . . . . It wouldn’t matter [if we drafted a tight end]. I think Rob welcomes that. The more, the merrier for him.’’
Speaking from his ‘‘Gronk Beach’’ party at the draft, Gronkowski told TMZ that he was still undecided about his future but that the Bucs are the only team he would consider playing for next season.
‘‘It’s just the Bucs,’’ he said. ‘‘Love that organization, man. Love the guys there.’’
Georgia has record 15 players drafted
Reigning national champion Georgia set a record for players from one school selected in a seven-round draft with 15. The previous mark of 14 had been shared by Ohio State in 2004 and LSU in 2020.
Iowa State QB Purdy ‘Mr. Irrelevant’
The 49ers selected Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy with the 262nd and final pick of the draft, giving him the title of ‘‘Mr. Irrelevant.’’