Locked in a three-way contest to be named the successor to retired Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, Pickett enjoyed a strong preseason debut with a game-winning touchdown pass with three seconds left Saturday night in a 32-25 victory over of the Seahawks. Pickett, the 20th overall draft pick out of nearby Pitt, is competing for the starting job with free agent signings Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. The rookie completed 13 of 15 passes for 95 yards in the second half with two touchdowns, including a 24-yard score to Tyler Vaughns in the final seconds. “Really, the whole night was special,” Pickett said after the game, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “The first one he had as an NFL player, to finish it that way on that stage with a lot of family and friends there, it was awesome.” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the first game was “a good first time out for all three quarterbacks,” with Trubisky and Rudolph each throwing a touchdown pass in the first half. But many fans at Acrisure Stadium made their feelings known with multiple chants of “Kenny” during Pickett’s time on the field. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t [hear it]Pickett said. “It was an incredible feeling. It was really cool. It was special.” Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrates after a hit on Saturday. “He moved his team, played situational football and showed competitive spirit,” added Tomlin. “Lots of good things to build on.” Roethlisberger, a six-time Pro Bowler, was the Steelers’ starter for 18 seasons, leading the team to two Super Bowl titles between three championship game appearances.
