Same city, same stadium, same training facility – for first-round pick Kenny Pickett, the move from college to the NFL won’t change that much. It’s just that the pressure is much higher as a potential successor to Ben Roethlisberger.

Munich – He is the only quarterback drafted in the 1st round. His role is that of hopeful for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kenny Pickett, the No. 20 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is expected to be the successor to the retired Ben Roethlisberger.

The 23-year-old does not even have to change residence for this mission. He spent the past five years at the University of Pittsburgh.

The home ground is unchanged. Heinz Field is equally the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Panthers, for whom Pickett has been active. The practice facility, the Steelers and Panthers share the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, will also remain the same for Pickett.

“It’s really funny,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’ve been circling the globe, or at least the United States, for the last couple of months looking for the right players for us. And we ended up with a guy next door. “

The coach has met his new playmaker many times. “I’ve known Pickett for a couple of years – whether it’s from the car park or wherever. I’ve then often wished him good luck for big games coming up.”

In the future, he is expected to play the big games on behalf of the Steelers.

Young quarterback room with Trubisky and Rudolph

Pickett joins Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph to form a young quarterback trio. “We’re going to have three young quarterbacks with varying degrees of experience,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert inserts. “Kenny is the rookie, but he’s close to being ready. Obviously, the coach is going to encourage that. It’s just a great option.”

Rudolph was picked in the 3rd round by the Steelers in 2018. Due to Roethlisberger’s injury proneness, he has since made 17 appearances, but has been only partially convincing. He completed 61.46 percent of his passes, threw 16 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

Trubisky was even selected at No. 2 by the Chicago Bears in the 2017 NFL Draft and served as a starter there, but never lived up to the many praises he received. After a brief interlude with the Buffalo Bills, he is now the most experienced man in the quarterback room at 27 years old.

“I’m pretty familiar with competing,” Pickett says. “I’ve been doing it my whole life. I know how to be a good teammate and compete at the same time. I’m looking forward to joining the quarterback room, getting to know these guys and getting better every day. “

Esume on Pickett: “I like that one “

2021 he played an outstanding season with the Panthers, winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, being named Player of the Year in the ACC and being voted an All-American.

“Kenny has developed nicely,” praises Colbert. “He had a great senior year. It was a good move for him to stay in college for another year. It’s a credit to him that he’s progressed and become a first-round pick.”

But is he really capable of succeeding two-time Super Bowl winner Roethlisberger, or at least being a good NFL quarterback?

“He’s the best quarterback on the board. The only one who belongs in the 1st round in terms of talent,” says ran expert Patrick Esume. “He broke Dan Marino’s records in Pittsburgh, over 40 touchdowns, very few interceptions, over 4000 passing yards. No other quarterback (from the draft) has that anticipation. The kid is mobile, too. I like that one.”

He should already have the fans’ hearts because of the local connection. Now the performances just have to be right.