When you think about the position of quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, you think of Ben Roethlisberger. After he retired this season, the franchise needed a new face at the spot and they think they’ve found it in Kenny Pickett, who they selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Big Ben recently spoke with Ron Cook at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to talk about what it’s been like since he retired. As part of that discussion, he shared the advice that he gave to Pickett, who has been picked to replace him.
Ben Roethlisberger on retirement, his final season, his successors, the pass to Santonio, three playoff wins in 11 seasons and so much more. https://t.co/VuYhyFHNt4 via @PittsburghPG
— Ron Cook (@RonCookPG) July 22, 2022
“I congratulated him and told him he doesn’t need to be me,” Roethlisberger said. “People are going to want to compare us. Even though there was a lot of distance between Terry [Bradshaw] and me, people still compared us. That’s why I told [Pickett], ‘You don’t have to be me. Don’t be me, as a matter of fact. Go be you. Be the best version of yourself and go out there and have fun and play.’”
Roethlisberger used his own experience to explain how Pickett doesn’t have to put the entire franchise on his shoulders right away as he adjusts to the pro game.
“It was the same when I came in,” Roethlisberger said. “I didn’t have to be special. There were times we did special things, but we had such a great defense. We had Jerome [Bettis]. We had a veteran line.”
Mitch Trubisky will be the starter this season for the Steelers but it’s only a matter of time before Pickett steps into the role. He’s certainly got some very big shoes to fill.
