The Pittsburgh Steelers are ushering in a new era at quarterback this season after the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh signed Mitch Trubisky as a bridge quarterback and maybe more before drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Our pal Luke Easterling over at Draft Wire offered up some expectations about this year’s crop of rookies including Pickett. Easterling acknowledges the presence of Trubisky paired with the Steelers conservative approach likely means Pickett will need to be patient.
Pickett obviously has more upside than Trubisky, but the Steelers aren’t a franchise that’s ever interested in playing for next year. Head coach Mike Tomlin will obviously ride with the quarterback that gives them the best chance to win now, but it’s possible that training camp might prove Pickett to be that guy. If that happens, Pickett will have no shortage of dynamic weapons in the passing game (including fellow rookies George Pickens and Calvin Austin III), and he’ll be playing in the same stadium from his college days.
Pickett’s future as a rookie will all depend on the success of the team. If the Steelers are winning with Trubisky, don’t expect Pickett to see the field. But if the Steelers do falter in the first half, that Week 10 home game against the New Orleans Saints coming off the bye week would be ideal of get the talented rookie on the field.
