Mike Tomlin reveals Kenny Pickett’s chances to start over Mitchell Trubisky

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told NFL Network’s Rich Eisen what Kenny Pickett’s chances of winning the starting quarterback job were. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers did not have to trade up in the first round to get the quarterback they wanted. With the 20th-overall pick, the Steelers picked Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett as the team’s quarterback of the future. But will he be the starter in the near future over free agent signing Mitchell Trubisky?

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin joined NFL Network during the final day of the NFL Draft on Saturday and was asked by Rich Eisen what chances Pickett has of being named the starting quarterback in Week 1. Tomlin responded by saying he does have a chance.

You can listen to Tomlin’s full comments in the tweet below at the 4:50 mark.

Mike Tomlin comments on Kenny Pickett’s chances to start over Mitchell Trubisky

While Liberty’s Malik Willis was projected to have the higher ceiling of the quarterbacks in the 2022 draft class, Pickett was viewed as the most pro ready. Hearing from Tomlin that Pickett has a chance to be name the Week 1 starter is not necessarily shocking.

The Steelers needed to address the quarterback position entering the 2022 league year after Ben Roethlisberger retired from the league. Pittsburgh seemingly addressed the position by signing Trubisky, a former 2017 Chicago Bears first-round pick, to a two-year contract. It seemed like Trubisky was slotted in as the starter, but that changes now with Pickett on the roster.

This past season, Pickett threw for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 67.2-percent of his passes. He was named a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third-place with 28 first-place votes and 631 total points.

So there you have it, Steelers fans: Tomlin has teased that there will be a quarterback battle heading into the 2022 season.