Ben Roethlisberger apologizes to Kenny Pickett for ‘egocentric’ strategy to alternative

In a current episode of his podcast, Ben Roethlisberger revealed to Kenny Pickett that he didn’t need to see him succeed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 2004 NFL Draft class noticed three groups have long-term stability on the quarterback place based mostly on their choices. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one in all them after they drafted Ben Roethlisberger, who led the workforce for 18 years, earlier than saying his retirement after the 2021 season.

With that, the Steelers wanted a brand new quarterback, and so they opted to make use of their first-round choose within the 2022 NFL Draft on Pittsburgh Panthers sign caller Kenny Pickett.

This previous season, Pickett confirmed promise and led the workforce to 2 clutch wins late to assist the Steelers earn a successful file.

Pickett made an look on Roethlisberger’s “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast” to debate a wide range of subjects. When requested about Pickett changing him, Roethlisberger admitted that he didn’t essentially need to see him succeed. Roethlisberger advised Pickett that that was “most likely the selfishness of me and I really feel dangerous for it.”

You’ll be able to view Roethlisberger’s feedback within the video under on the 1:29:19 mark of the YouTube video under:

Ben Roethlisberger admits he didn’t essentially need to see Kenny Pickett succeed

“I’ll be fully sincere and I’ll be tremendous clear right here, I’m going to get blasted, I most likely shouldn’t say this, however who cares at this level. I wouldn’t say that I needed Kenny to essentially fail, however like when somebody comes to switch you and I nonetheless really feel like I had it, I hope he doesn’t come and like ball out. As a result of then it’s like ‘Ben who,’ proper? However truthfully, I feel as you began enjoying, I discovered myself rooting an increasing number of for you. We sat down right here and watched video games and we have been high-fiving and going nuts if you have been main the workforce and doing issues, you realize. And operating and making an attempt to struggle individuals and doing all of that stuff…

“I felt dangerous and I got here on this present and I apologized to you for not realizing how good he was going to be. Like, I simply didn’t know. I had no concept. I didn’t know that you simply have been the runner that you simply have been. I simply didn’t know what was going to occur, I wasn’t conscious. I used to be pleasantly stunned, I’m glad that I used to be mistaken within the sense of the place I had you. I believed you’d be a quarterback that was good…I feel you’re the way forward for this workforce, I actually do.”

Pickett was the headliner of what was a weak quarterback draft class. He shined in his 4 years at Pittsburgh and ended all of it by beating Dan Marino’s single-season and all-time passing touchdowns data in this system’s historical past. It was solely becoming that the quarterback whose workforce shared a facility and stadium with the Steelers, donned the black and yellow uniform.

To start out the yr, Pickett was the agency backup behind starter Mitchell Trubisky, however entered in reduction in Week 4. From there, he grew to become the beginning quarterback.

Whereas Pittsburgh’s offense as an entire didn’t mild up the NFL world, Pickett did present potential to be the man beneath middle for a substantial period of time after main the workforce to clutch, game-winning drives towards the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 16 and 17.

In his rookie season, Pickett threw for two,404 yards, seven touchdowns, and 9 interceptions whereas finishing 63.0-percent of his passes. Moreover, Pickett ran for 237 yards and three touchdowns on 55 carries.

Not solely do the Steelers as a workforce really feel like Pickett might be their long-term reply at quarterback, however so does Roethlisberger after watching him in his first season with the workforce.