Steelers QB Kenny Pickett: 'I know I have a long ways to go' to replace Ben Roethlisberger

The alleged summer quarterback competition involving Pittsburgh Steelers signal-callers Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and rookie Kenny Pickett picked up on day one of training camp where it left off during mandatory minicamp. Trubisky, signed by the Steelers in March, took all of the first-team reps. Rudolph worked with the second team, and Pickett remained third on the depth chart. 

While Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin vowed to not "micromanage or overmanage this quarterback competition" over the next month or so, it's a poorly kept secret that Trubisky is penciled in as the staff's QB1 for Week 1. Where does this leave Pickett, the first-round draft choice selected 20th overall in this past spring's player-selection process? When will he receive an opportunity to become the long-term successor to retired future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger? 

Per Judy Battista of the NFL's website, Pickett recently explained he believes he can win the starting job before the end of the preseason portion of the calendar. The 24-year-old also is doing his best to avoid focusing on following in Big Ben's footsteps.

"Honestly, I don't think of it," Pickett said of potentially replacing Roethlisberger as Pittsburgh's offensive CEO. "I know I have a long ways to go before I get there.

"Of course, you have to go out there and think that you're the best. I definitely have that mindset. But I have a lot of work to do and a lot to learn, so at the same time it's kind of a healthy balance."

It's still early in the process, but Pickett already sounds like a first-year pro who realizes he'll be learning about life in the NFL from the sidelines on Sundays for at least a portion of the upcoming season. 

"It's obviously a new era now that Ben's gone, and we have other quarterbacks that are coming in here and trying to compete for the job," Pickett added during his comments. "It's an exciting time, and I know everyone just wants the best for the team, so we're just going to go out there and compete."