The history behind the Pittsburgh Steelers organization is one of the most decorated in all of sports. The franchise has won six Super Bowls, tied for the most all time, while incredibly only employing three head coaches since 1969.
It was certainly a change of the guard, however, when two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger retired at the end of the 2021 season. A new era was set to begin and the front office believed that rookie Kenny Pickett was the right guy to replace the legend. Fast forward and the young signal-caller is beginning to mature and looks better each week.
On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the retiree admitted that he was wrong about Pickett. He was overwhelmingly complimentary of the University of Pittsburgh graduate and thinks he is exactly what the team needs:
“I severely underestimated Kenny. I think he throws the ball better than I thought. He runs way better than I thought, he’s faster or just more elusive, but he runs the ball way better than I expected. His decision making is really good. His leadership, toughness, just enough of an edge. I apologize, that I did not make this vocal. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
Pickett was asked after Roethlisberger’s comments by The Athletic. As one could imagine, he was humbled and very happy to hear that a franchise legend was in his corner:
“It means the world to me to earn his respect. I have a long way to go, but I appreciate him saying that. It is special that a Hall of Fame quarterback like that would say that.”
The team’s current offensive leader said that the previous one has been very supportive throughout the season and even keeps in touch, texting him from time to time, and Pickett would like this blossoming relationship to continue:
“He tries to keep in touch, but he understands. He knows how busy and hectic the schedule can get,” Pickett said. “In the off-season, I would love to be able to connect with him and continue to pick his brain and use him as a resource.”
The two, especially Roethlisberger who was essentially replaced by the idea of a rookie leading the huddle, seem to have no hostility or ill-will towards one another. That’s exactly what the organization needs after the connection between Roethlisberger and Terry Bradshaw never materialized. It was even awkwardly public how Bradshaw felt about the guy who would compete with him to be considered the best quarterback in franchise history.
Bradshaw joined The Rich Eisen Show about five years ago and discussed his association with the team’s 21st century hero. It was pretty clear that there is absolutely nothing positive between the two:
“I don’t know him, Rich. I don’t know him well at all. I mean, I don’t know him at all. I did text him a couple of times in the last year. Texted him once this year, congratulating him on his great career. That’s it. I mean, that’s pretty much it.”
Roethlisberger has received plenty of criticism from Bradshaw due to his early years with the organization. The four-time Super Bowl Champion has always said that some of the legal troubles that the Miami University (OH) alum had early in his career essentially left a bad taste in his mouth almost immediately because he has two daughters. It seems as if the two were never able to make amends any time after.
It’s hard to say who is more at fault for the rift. Bradshaw has allegedly tried to make things right, but it’s hard to buy into that idea given his track record on television and paired with an eerie silence from Roethlisberger on the subject matter. It’s an unfortunate and a sad topic for what is an extraordinarily proud franchise. The hope is that with the new era of Steelers football, something changes.
It seems like the recently retired quarterback wants to do things right this time around and do what he can to connect with Pickett. Roethlisberger is trying to do what Bradshaw never did and that is pass the baton to the new guy. There are certainly different time gaps between that are inconsistent based on age and era of play, but Pittsburgh would love nothing more than a strong and genuine friendship to come about between Pickett and his predecessor.
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