Kenny Pickett wants everyone to know his relationship with Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger is just fine after Roethlisberger shared a controversial take with Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. 

“He’s honest and out front about it,” Pickett said about Roethlisberger on Tuesday, as shared by Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He’s a fan now and he’s pulling for us. It was pretty cool to hear him say that and to be at his house and to meet his kids and his wife and get to know him a little bit better. We’ll continue to build that relationship, and I’ll reach out if I have any questions. I’m excited to go into Year 2 with another guy in my corner pulling for me.” 

Pickett was referring to how Roethlisberger admitted during a recent edition of the “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast that he didn’t immediately want Pickett to succeed as a rookie, largely because the former signal-caller didn’t want fans to quickly forget about him. To his credit, Roethlisberger acknowledged such feelings were selfish and added he eventually “transitioned to the love of rooting for” his successor. 

One-time Pro Bowl selection and current NFL analyst Michael Robinson is among noteworthy members of the football community who criticized Roethlisberger for his comments even though Pickett noted last summer that Big Ben had given him advice about what to expect as a first-year pro. On Tuesday, Pickett reminded everybody he and Roethlisberger never had a chance to build a close connection because the future Hall of Famer retired months before the 24-year-old entered the NFL.

“I had so many great friends that I played with,” Pickett said about his high school and college days. “I had never met Ben, so it was a different relationship. The guys I played with, we had so many great memories and great friendships. I always pull for those teammates to be successful. I take pride in being a part of something and building that. I think it’s a different situation.”

What’s done is done and in the past, and the Steelers likely will prefer to focus on the fact that Roethlisberger sounds willing to serve as a mentor after Pickett posted a 7-5 record as a rookie.