Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett is announced as the twentieth overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers nabbed their quarterback of the future in the 2022 NFL Draft, but what’s next for Kenny Pickett and his new teammates?
The end of the Ben Roethlisberger era in Pittsburgh will inevitably usher in a year of transition for the Steelers franchise. The team selected Kenny Pickett in Round 1 to replace Big Ben, but Mike Tomlin’s team faces a lot more questions than normal heading into the 2022 regular season.
The Steelers’ depth chart is mostly set after the conclusion of the draft. The biggest camp storyline figures to be the battle between Mitchell Trubisky and Pickett to see who starts the year as the team’s starting quarterback.
The departure of Juju Smith-Schuster in free agency also means there is upheaval in the team’s receiver room. Drafting two high-profile wideouts should also give Steelers fans plenty of fodder for discussion in the preseason. Fans of the team should keep a close eye on the following three bold predictions in the aftermath of this year’s draft.
3. Mitchell Trubisky will start Week 1 over Kenny Pickett
The Steelers want Pickett to beat out Trubisky sooner, rather than later, but Tomlin and his staff aren’t going to rush him onto the field for Week 1. It might disappoint some Pittsburgh fans to know that Trubisky should be considered the favorite to take the field with the starters in the opener.
Of course, the clock is already ticking on Trubisky’s tenuous grasp on the starting job. The Pickett era is coming to Pittsburgh soon. It could happen as early as Week 2. No matter what he’ll get significant snaps as a rookie.