Steelers: Kenny Pickett is testing fans’ patience

Pittsburgh Steelers fans need to be patient with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett — but surely even the Pitt product expects more from himself than third string.

Take a deep breath and say it with me: “It’s only OTA’s.”

Pickett was the first quarterback taken, and was selected relatively high depending on who you talk to. No other signal-caller was drafted in the first round last April for a reason. This class of quarterbacks was weak, to say the least.

Yet, Pickett impressed the Steelers enough while playing at Heinz Field for the University of Pittsburgh that they opted to select him higher than some projected. Perhaps Kevin Colbert knows something we don’t.

Pickett has all the tools to be a good NFL QB right away. His first impression has him holding a clipboard behind the man holding a clipboard. Yes, Kenny is third string for now.

Steelers: Kenny Pickett is third string for now

The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly signaled that free-agent acquisition Mitchell Trubisky is the likely starter come Week 1:

“Unless Trubisky gets hurt or plays terribly in camp and the preseason, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where he doesn’t start the season as the No. 1.”

Behind Trubisky is Mason Rudolph, who was drafted some time ago as the hopeful heir-apparent to Ben Roethlisberger. Rudolph, who had a head start on learning the offense due to his time behind Big Ben last year, impressed as compared to Pickett and Trubisky. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh has seen all it needs to from the Oklahoma State product. He’s a backup at best.

But Pickett is the future, and just as they were with Roethlisberger, the Steelers are being cautious with the Pitt product. Big Ben started his rookie season behind veteran Tommy Maddox. Pickett will do the same with Trubisky, whether fans like it or not.

Third string is a bit excessive, though.