Kenny Pickett discusses quarterback competition

Kenny Pickett opens camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers as one of the franchise’s next options at quarterback. Mike Tomlin must choose between he, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph to be the heir to Ben Roethlisberger. While they’re all competing for one spot, Pickett says it’s far more lighthearted than some would expect.

Pickett talked about the vibe of the quarterback competition before Pittsburgh opened training camp. He says everyone in the room is professional about the task amongst them.

“You’re just a pro about it. We’re all friends and we’re all competing. The best man is gonna play at the end of the day so we’re all out there competing, having fun and playing together,” said Pickett.

Each option provides a unique quality to the position. Kenny Pickett is the rookie who Pittsburgh drafted 20th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He threw for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns in his final season at Pitt, leaving him as the choice if the Steelers are buying into a youth movement.

Trubisky is the most experienced option with five seasons in the NFL and four as a starter in Chicago. The former No. 2 pick has thrown for 10,652 yards and 64 touchdowns during that span. Finally, Rudolph is the longest-tenured with the team as he’s been with Pittsburgh since 2019. With Roethlisberger injured during his rookie campaign, Rudolph got to start eight games and threw for 1,765 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Overall, Pickett said the franchise has laid it out plainly for the media and the quarterbacks. There is one starting spot and a room full of QB options. With training camp here, it’s time for each one to show what they have and earn it for themselves.

“They laid it out for you in media. Coach (Tomlin) laid it just the way he laid it out to us,” said Pickett. “There’s a one, two, three, and four. That’s kind of how it went in camp, mini camp and OTAs. We’ll see how it goes when camp opens up.”