The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an unfamiliar situation heading into 2022, a competition for the starting quarterback position heading into training camp. The upcoming camp battle will feature a former number two overall pick, Mitch Trubisky who signed under the presumption he would be the starting quarterback, and the Steelers first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Kenny Pickett who they selected with the 20th overall pick.
Pickett joined NFL reporter, Aditi Kinkhabwala on a fishing trip that was highlighted on her inaugural appearance on the CBS Sports network We Need To Talk weekly sports magazine. Kinkhabwala and Pickett chatted about various subjects, and you can watch the entire segment on her Twitter account here. Kinkhabwala asked Pickett about how he felt about trying to replace 18-year veteran and two-time Super Bowl champion, Ben Roethlisberger:
"There is always pressure and I had a great talk with him," Pickett shared, "and he just told me to be myself and be the best player that I can be. That’s kind of how simple it is. The outside noise of everyone looking in on that would make it, you know however they want to turn it, but I just know I need to handle my business. Play the game like I know how to play it and everything else will take care of itself."
Ben Roethlisberger's final snap at Heinz Field. | @JSKO_PHOTO (Twitter)
Pickett points out that Roethlisberger has spoken with the rookie at length and wants him to succeed. The former Steelers quarterback has fought accusations for not being a leader or a great teammate in the past and it is refreshing to hear the rookie talk highly of Roethlisberger. This also may refute the not very subtle innuendo of Mason Rudolph after the 2022 NFL Draft that the former quarterback is not forthcoming in helping young quarterbacks. Perhaps it was something in Rudolph’s makeup that kept the future Hall of Famer at arms length.
Kinkhabwala then asked, “Why does it work with Mitch Trubisky?”
“I think we are kind of really similar, you know personality wise. He recruited me to North Carolina. We are very similar; I mean that’s a really good kind of working relationship and friendship that we are starting to build. It’s going really well."
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Trubisky and Pickett have worked together since organized team activities (OTA’s) and while they are competing for the same position, so far there has been no hint of an adversarial relationship between the two quarterbacks. The Steelers have not a had a starting quarterback competition for nearly two decades and with a young offensive roster, it is imperative that the the two signal-callers support each other.
Trubisky was the first quarterback selected in the 2017 NFL Draft and no matter how the depth chart lands in September, the valuable insight that he can provide to Pickett about preparing for the expectations and pressures of being tapped as the leader of a franchise is invaluable. The maturity from both players is something you don’t often see with young players and the Steelers are incredibly lucky to have it.
We Need To Talk / CBS Sports
The fishing boat drifts along past Acrisure Stadium and Kinkhabwala asks if he has ever dreamed of running out of the tunnel as the starting quarterback for the Steelers:
“Yeah, ever since I got the call. Ever since I found out that was the jersey I was going to be putting on. That’s all I've been thinking about. Getting my opportunity and being as prepared as I can be for the opportunity. Who knows when it will come, but I’ll be ready when it comes, and I’ll be excited to play for them.”
Pickett is not afraid to dream big and based on his draft position, he knows that opportunity may not be in the too distant future. Both Pickett and Trubisky are on extremely team-friendly deals, so it is possible to keep both for the next two seasons without a significant effect on the salary cap which puts the Steelers squarely in the Super Bowl window if one or both emerge.
Pickett, who starred for the Pitt Panthers, shared during the interview that he planned to stay in the area permanently. His confidence that he will have a lengthy career in the Steel City is evident and natural. It is rare in sports that you get the opportunity to be the hometown hero and make no mistake, Kenny Pickett seems born to play that role.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Who wins the quarterback competition, Pickett or Trubisky? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
