Ben Roethlisberger to Steelers' Kenny Pickett: 'Be the best player' possible

Barring a surprising development, first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett is widely expected to begin the upcoming NFL regular season behind presumed starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on the Pittsburgh Steelers' depth chart. It's even possible that career backup Mason Rudolph could keep Pickett the club's third-string option through the fall. 

The hope, of course, is that Pickett will eventually prove to be a successor for future Hall of Famer and Steelers all-time great Ben Roethlisberger, who retired this past winter. Back in May, Pickett explained how Roethlisberger stated that "he is always there for me if I have any questions or advice." It seems Roethlisberger has already come through on that promise. 

Per Noah Strackbein of FanNation's All Steelers, Pickett spoke during an episode of "We Need to Talk" with Aditi Kinkhabwala about what Big Ben has said to him ahead of his first pro training camp experience. 

"I had a great talk with him. He just told me to be myself and be the best player that I could and that's kind of how simple it is," Pickett said of Roethlisberger. "The outside noise of everyone looking in on that will make it however they want to turn it. But I just know I need to handle my business and play the game the way I know how to play, and everything else will take care of itself."

As things stand today, Pickett is on track to compete with Rudolph for the team's No. 2 job this summer. If the first-year pro impresses during workouts and preseason games, the Steelers may consider trading Rudolph so Pickett can enter September as their primary backup.