Steelers take Roethlisberger replacement, take Pitt QB Kenny Pickett with 20th pick

Mitchell Trubisky's time as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback might be short.

The Steelers signed Trubisky, the former Chicago Bears starter, as a free agent this offseason. Ben Roethlisberger retired after last season and the Steelers needed someone to start. But Pittsburgh wasn't done addressing quarterback.

The Steelers waited patiently in the first round of Thursday's draft and had quarterback Kenny Pickett fall to them. The Steelers made Pickett the first quarterback selected in the draft, taking him with the 20th pick.

The fact that Pickett played his college ball at the University of Pittsburgh, playing in the same stadium the Steelers call home, is a bonus for fans of both teams.

When Pickett was drafted, cameras showed him on the phone with his head down, seemingly crying tears of joy. He obviously was thrilled to be staying in Pittsburgh with the Steelers.

Pickett, like the other quarterbacks in this class, isn't considered a Day One starter. He'll sit and learn. Trubisky has a two-year deal for a little more than $14 million, which is not starting QB money in the NFL. That was a sign that Pittsburgh would still be looking for a long-term starter as the offseason went on. Trubisky will likely start either until Pickett is ready or Trubisky falters. That's a pretty good setup for Pickett, and perhaps the Steelers too.

Pickett has experience and took a big step forward in 2021. He completed 334-of-497 passes for 4,319 yards, 42 TDs and seven INTs last season. He also has the athleticism to make things happen outside of the pocket. He has good arm strength. The Steelers clearly see him as a long-term starter for them and used a first-round pick to take him.

Pickett was already popular in Pittsburgh. If he has a career anything like Roethlisberger had, he'll be a legend there before long.