Kenny Pickett

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly planning to keep rookie Kenny Pickett in a backup role behind starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky for the entire 2022 NFL season, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (h/t NFL reporter Dov Kleiman).

The pair had engaged in a quarterback battle during training camp and the preseason, with the veteran Trubisky remaining atop the depth chart.

That followed a report from the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport earlier on Sunday that Trubisky would have a "long leash" this season:

With Ben Roethlisberger retiring after the 2021 campaign, the Steelers made aggressive moves to replace him, signing Trubisky to a two-year deal worth up to $27 million and drafting Pickett with the No. 20 overall pick.

Trubisky didn't sign with the Steelers to serve as a backup.

"My goal throughout free agency was find a way to get back on the field and going into a situation where I could win a starting job and use my talents on the field," he told reporters in March.

"I'm in a situation where I have to prove myself back on the field," he added. "That's what I'm looking forward to doing. You're always betting on yourself in that sense, and I definitely am in this case. You've got to bet on yourself and trust what you're capable of."

The Pickett selection made things interesting, however, especially when he thrived in the preseason (29-of-36 attempts for 261 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions).

Trubisky, to his credit, didn't do anything to lose his starting spot. In his final preseason appearance, he finished 15-of-19 on pass attempts for 160 yards and a touchdown, efficiently leading the Steelers offense.

The 28-year-old struggled to live up to the expectations that came along with being the No. 2 overall pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2017 season, throwing 37 interceptions in 50 starts for the team across four seasons.

While that included a 29-21 record as the team's starter and two playoff berths, the Bears cut ties with Trubisky after the 2020 campaign and he operated as Josh Allen's backup in Buffalo last season.

Now, he's the starter in Pittsburgh, at least for the time being. The Pickett era feels inevitable, even if it doesn't start until 2023.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Mitchell Trubisky their starting quarterback for Week 1's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

"Mitch Trubisky is our starting quarterback and our captain," coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Tomlin further explained the decision, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and rookie Kenny Pickett competed in camp for the starting spot.

Trubisky opened camp as the overwhelming favorite to win the job after signing a two-year contract with the Steelers in March. He spent the 2021 season backing up Josh Allen in Buffalo after four inconsistent years starting with the Chicago Bears.

Rudolph was Ben Roethlisberger's backup for the last four seasons but had been unspectacular in the role. His experience in Mike Tomlin's system gave him a head start in terms of knowledge, but he's offered little in-game production to indicate he's a quality NFL quarterback.

Pickett, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, was always expected to at least begin the regular season sitting behind one of the veterans.

The 24-year-old is the sixth quarterback Pittsburgh has selected in the first round in franchise history, joining Ted Marchibroda (1953), Len Dawson (1957), Terry Bradshaw (1970), Mark Malone (1980) and Roethlisberger (2004). He's also the third player the team has taken in the first round from the University of Pittsburgh.

"They’re making it difficult for us," Tomlin told reporters in camp. "It’s tough to manage three capable guys, but they're forcing us to do it because they're making the necessary plays. They're anticipating, the timing has been good, the accuracy has been good."

Roethlisberger left massive shoes to fill under center, having reset the entire franchise record book as part of a Hall of Fame career. He also brought home two Super Bowls.

Trubisky should, at the least, be an upgrade over late-career Roethlisberger. He offers mobility outside the pocket that the veteran didn't even possess in his prime, and he should be more capable of stretching the field with his arm.