Ben Roethlisberger Explains Text Exchange With Kenny Pickett Following News He’s the New Steelers Starter

Big Ben is weighing in.

Looks as if the former Pittsburgh Steelers QB is keeping tabs on the NFL rookie. During an episode of his “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast, the Pittsburgh Steelers legend spoke about Pittsburgh’s current Quarterback situation and said he was “really surprised” when head coach Mike Tomlin benched Mitch Trubisky in favor of Kenny Pickett this past weekend. Roethlisberger said Pickett sent him a text message after the game talking about the rookie’s first ever NFL pass, which ended up being intercepted.

“It energized the defense, the fans, the offense. Minkah (Fitzpatrick) gets a pick and then (Pickett) throws an interception on his first pass in the NFL,” Roethlisberger said.

“Someone just corrected me; I thought I threw an interception on my first NFL pass, it was actually the second. I did tell Kenny, ‘I did it too, you’ll be just fine.’ He rushes for two touchdowns, and I think he is beating himself up. He texted me, ‘I’ve got to throw that one away.’ It’s going to be interesting, but I don’t think they can go back (to Trubisky).”

Mike Tomlin announced today that Kenny Pickett will get the start against the Buffalo Bills. He spoke about why he made the move pulling Trubisky last game.

“I thought we needed a spark, man,” Tomlin said, via NFL.com. “We didn’t do much in the first half, not enough offensively, and I thought he could provide a spark for us.”

Mitchell was a sitting duck the minute they drafted Pickett.

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