Big Ben: Steelers should start Trubisky over Pickett

Ben Roethlisberger believes the Pittsburgh Steelers should start the season with veteran Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback over rookie Kenny Pickett.

"I think Mitchell Trubisky is the starter. He should start," Big Ben said in the first episode of "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger." "He's a veteran, he's been around for a while. He gives you, in my opinion, the best chance to win right now. But I think Kenny has done a great job.

"You watch (Pickett), from what I've seen in the preseason, you wouldn't be like, 'Oh, man, he's a rookie, he's got some learning curves.' He's going to because when the regular season picks up, it gets faster, but I think he's done a great job. ... I would say this about almost all rookie quarterbacks, it benefits you to sit behind a veteran for a little bit of time."

The Steelers have yet to announce a starter to replace Roethlisberger who retired in January after 18 seasons in Pittsburgh. The team signed Trubisky in free agency and drafted Pickett in the first round this year, adding to a quarterback depth chart that also includes Mason Rudolph.

Roethlisberger thinks Trubisky will be a good mentor to Pickett.

"Mitch is a great leader, a great football player, he's a great athlete, he's a good quarterback," he said. "He's the guy, they brought him in here for a reason, and I think he's going to mentor Kenny."

The Steelers legend continued: "People are so excited for Kenny, which they should be. I mean, he's a Pitt kid. ... I just hope the fans don't, like, the first time that Mitch doesn't play well, they don't start booing or yank him or do something like that because, listen, it's going to happen."

Pittsburgh kicks off its 2022 season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 11.