Mike Tomlin doesn’t want an open quarterback competition when the Steelers reach training camp. He told reporters Tuesday he’ll establish a clear pecking order among Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch between now and then, as the Steelers determine their early season replacement for Ben Roethlisberger.

For now, it’s Leftwich getting the bulk of the first-team reps. But when NFL Network analysts Solomon Wilcots and Rod Woodson discussed the topic on NFL Total Access, there was a consensus: Dixon is the best answer for the Steelers.

“I believe this young man has the arm strength and he has the ability to understand the system and make some plays for this football team,” Woodson said. “They need some playmakers on offense, and I think he adds that at QB, just like Roethlisberger does.”

Added Wilcots: “I could see where you would want to start the veteran and maybe have the young player sitting in the wings. [Dixon] better get ready to play. He’s a guy who is very mobile. I think he can add to the offense, and not take away from it.”

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