Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw would've started Kenny Pickett over Mitchell Trubisky

Veteran Mitchell Trubisky unofficially became the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers and immediate successor to future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger when he signed with the organization in March and then did well to hold off rookie and first-round draft choice Kenny Pickett in what was realistically a competition in name only. 

This isn't to suggest Trubisky played poorly in the preseason, as the 28-year-old completed 24-of-34 passes for 283 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions during the exhibition portion of the calendar. Pickett also performed well and connected on 29-of-36 attempts for 261 yards with three scores across his first NFL preseason appearances. 

As Joe Clark noted for Steelers Depot, Hall of Famer and club legend Terry Bradshaw made it clear during a Friday spot on "The Herd With Colin Cowherd" that he would've gone with the first-year pro for Sunday's season opener at the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals over both Trubisky and career backup Mason Rudolph. 

"I would have started Pickett," Bradshaw explained. "Because I've already seen the other guys. I know they can play well one week or two weeks and then we're gonna see the other side. I would've started the kid, and I wouldn't have had to make any excuses for it. 

"He's exciting. The players love him. The fans love him. And he's 24 years old, started 54 games in college. He's so ready to play that I would've started him." 

It's widely believed that the main reason Rudolph remains on Pittsburgh's roster ahead of Week 1 is that neither head coach Mike Tomlin nor general manager Omar Khan want Pickett to face a live defense too early if Trubisky goes down with an injury. 

However, some have speculated that Pickett could get his first regular-season start at home against the New York Jets in Week 4 on Oct. 2. The Steelers will have extra time to prepare for that game coming off a "Thursday Night Football" contest at the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 22.