Ben Roethlisberger 'a great resource' for Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett

Shortly after the Pittsburgh Steelers made former Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett a first-round draft selection and the potential successor to retired future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger this spring, Pickett unveiled that Roethlisberger called him and "said he is always there for me if I have any questions or advice." 

Earlier this month, the rookie noted how Roethlisberger urged him to concentrate on being "the best player" possible during a quarterback competition involving free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky and career backup Mason Rudolph that's probably already been decided. As was the case throughout springtime workouts, Trubisky opened training camp comfortably atop the depth chart as Pickett remained third behind Rudolph. 

Per the Associated Press (h/t USA Today), Pickett explained on the latest edition of the "AP Pro Football Podcast" how Roethlisberger has vowed to be there whenever the first-year pro needs guidance. 

"He gave me some great words of advice and if I have any questions, I can always reach out and ask him," Pickett said of Big Ben. "I think he will be a great resource to have as my career progresses here." 

Pickett admitted earlier this week that he has "a long ways to go" before he'll be ready to potentially replace Roethlisberger as Pittsburgh's long-term QB1. For now, the 24-year-old is picking up whatever he can from Trubisky and Rudolph. 

"I’m going to learn from those guys and there’s a lot I have to learn with the new system," Pickett added during his comments on the podcast. "I’m just looking forward to getting some reps playing in the system and competing this camp. The 7-on-7s (in the offseason) definitely helped, just going through some of our reads and moving through the progression and getting some actual physical reps instead of just watching on tape and studying the playbook. That all really helped me going into camp." 

Pickett's first opportunity to impress against a live defense will come when the Steelers host the Seattle Seahawks in their preseason opener on Aug. 13.