Steelers 2nd-Year Quarterback Kenny Pickett Gives His Honest Opinion On Recent Ben Roethlisberger Comments

Organized Team Activities (OTAs) have officially begun for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is one of the more exciting times of the offseason as the members of the 2022 team link up on a football field with all the fresh faces. It is also a great time for the media to chat with and interview players about a whole number of different topics. Many players stay away (or try to anyway) from the news cycle throughout the offseason so it is always interesting to see what they have to say during the first unofficial practices of the new season.

Second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett has been heard from a little during the long break and most recently joined the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. The guest appearance led to plenty of discussion including what was looked at by some as "whack" comments from Roethlisberger. The former Super Bowl champion admitted that he didn't want Pickett to succeed when he first became the new franchise signal-caller.

Pickett spoke to the media on Tuesday and reporter for 93.7 The Fan, Josh Rowntree asked the 2022 first round pick about what he thought about Roethlisberger's comments. Even if he did take a little bit of offense to it, it wasn't apparent on Tuesday. He told reporters that he had no issues with it and, if anything commented, on Roethlisberger's bluntness. 

"Yeah, man, he's honest. He's [up]front about it and he's a fan now and he's pulling for us. It was really cool to hear him say that. And to get a chance to be at his house and meet his kids, meet his wife and get to know him a little bit better."

Steelers Fans Shouldn't Expect History To Repeat Itself

Steelers fans are no stranger to a former and new quarterback having their disagreements. The longstanding feud between Roethlisberger and Hall of Famer, Terry Bradshaw still has yet to be resolved. Pickett isn't planning on taking things in that direction, however. He wants to continue to lean on and build a relationship with his predecessor.

"I think we're just going to continue to build on that relationship and reach out if I have any questions. And he said he'll be texting me. So I'm excited to go into year two with another guy in my corner pulling for me," Pickett said.

The quarterback was also asked if he ever has had feelings like that after he departed from a team. It's safe to say that things like that haven't crossed his mind recently dating back to high school.

"The guys that I had at Pitt and in high school, I felt like I was a part of building something there, and you take a lot of pride in that. I have so many great friends that I've played with."

Pickett referenced Nick Patti, who backed him up at the University of Pittsburgh and went on to play in three and start one game in 2022.

"Nick Patti. When I saw him get in there... me and Nick are really tight to this day. I mean, we'll go grab a bite to eat if he's ever in the city or if we're back together in [New] Jersey."

That wasn't all Pickett had to say about Patti and some of his other former teammates throughout the yeasr. He was transparent in saying that all he wants for them is to be successful.

"I always pull for those people to be successful, and I feel like I take pride in being a part of helping build something like that."

It's hard to imagine Roethlisberger meant anything negative towards Pickett. He's always been extremely honest and it seems like his successor didn't take anything too harshly. Pickett's character is shining through this whole thing, however. He looks up to the former Steelers great and wants to build that relationship with him. It seems as if the comments weren't taken in a bad way and the two will begin to get closer each year that passes with Pickett as the Steelers leader.

Do you think Pickett had an issue with Roethlisberger's comments and is downplaying it? Or is it no big deal? Let us know in the comments below!

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