For 18 years, all the Pittsburgh Steelers knew at the quarterback position was Ben Roethlisberger. Dating back to when he was drafted in ’04, Big Ben led the franchise to two Super Bowl wins and 14 winning seasons.
But that chapter is closed. The new era is being ushered in with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, out of the University of Pittsburgh.
However, Pickett has to beat out the newly-acquired Mitch Trubisky first in order to become the franchise’s QB1, which might be more of a “when” not “if.”
The “when” will not only impact the way the Steelers’ 2022 season unfolds but it’ll also give some clarity to those looking to bet on the rookie QB to win the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
He’ll be in stiff competition with his fellow rookie teammate George Pickens, whose odds are rapidly shortening.
But Pickett was the first QB taken in this year’s draft, and his +700 odds at Tipico Sportsbook are the shortest of any rookie.
Will the award go to a quarterback this year?
That position has earned the accolade three out of the last six years with Justin Herbert (2020), Kyler Murray (2019) and Dak Prescott (2016) each capturing OROY.
Prescott and Murray each threw for at least 3,600 yards and 20 touchdowns in their rookie campaigns. Herbert blew way past them with 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns in his freshman season.
If that’s the new threshold to win OROY in 2022, Pickett maybe in trouble unless he’s starting at least 15 games. He’s got plenty of wideouts to help him along the way, but it all depends on how much the Steelers are willing to unleash him this year.
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