Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger’s embarrassment is best proof but Kenny Pickett is right here to remain

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett gained hundreds of followers worldwide when he was drafted final yr. Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t one among them.

Large Ben Roethlisberger’s battle with NFL irrelevance is probably probably the most entertaining offensive show we’ve seen from the Steelers in years.

Roethlisberger retired after the 2022 season, getting the sendoff he deserved from Steeler Nation within the course of. Roethlisberger is a future Corridor of Famer — possible first poll — and probably the greatest quarterbacks of his period. Since his retirement, he’s made a number of farewell tour appearances across the metropolis, and even has a podcast to speak in regards to the present crew.

Sounds wholesome, proper?

For many who haven’t adopted Roethlisberger’s profession, it might come as a shock that the decades-long Steeler wasn’t rooting for Kenny Pickett in the beginning of final season. It’s much more stunning that he was keen to confess that publicly, and alter his thoughts in entrance of Pickett himself.

Roethlisberger has a historical past of criticizing teammates, whether or not or not it’s on his former weekly radio look on 93.7 The Fan right here in Pittsburgh, or refusing to welcome THIRD-ROUND choose Mason Rudolph into the fold as a result of he felt the Steelers may have used that slot to encompass him with extra expertise. It is a man who already had Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown as weapons, thoughts you.

Steelers: Kenny Pickett was a risk to Ben Roethlisberger

Any time Roethlisberger felt in the least threatened, he revolted. It didn’t matter that Ben was the highest-paid participant on the roster for the higher a part of a decade, or that the Steelers handled him like a king for a lot of that point. The straightforward indisputable fact that Pickett had the primary likelihood at changing him, and was an area product as a former Pitt Panther, was sufficient to eat at him.

“I’ll be fully trustworthy, I’ll be tremendous clear right here, and I’m gonna get blasted,” Roethlisberger said. “I most likely shouldn’t say this, however who cares at this level. I wouldn’t say that I wished Kenny to essentially fail, however when somebody comes to exchange you, I nonetheless really feel like I had it, I hope he doesn’t come ball out. As a result of then it’s like, Ben who?”

Somewhat than being the thousandth writer to blast Roethlisberger, I’ll take this remark at face worth. It says rather a lot about Pickett that watching him play lastly compelled Roethlisberger to drop his act.

“As you began taking part in, I discovered myself rooting increasingly for you,” Roethlisberger mentioned. “I wished you to succeed, I wished you to win video games, I wished you to go within the playoffs. I really feel dangerous that I felt that early on, however I’m glad I transitioned to loving and rooting for you.”

Pickett was nothing however class all through the interview, going so far as to notice he studied Roethlisberger throughout his time at Pitt.

The Steelers quarterback brotherhood isn’t as notable as, say, the Inexperienced Bay Packers, which boast Bart, Starr, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, however the likes of Terry Bradshaw and Roethlisberger are nothing to snuff at.

Having their help is significant. Now, Pickett has that.