Steelers' Kenny Pickett back among NFL Offensive Rookie of Year favorites as he takes over as Week 5 starter vs. Bills

The Pittsburgh Steelers' Kenny Pickett was the only quarterback taken in the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft and to no surprise he will be the first rookie to start this season. Coach Mike Tomlin has made the call that Pickett will be under center on Sunday in a very tough matchup in Buffalo. Pickett is now back among the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favorites at Caesars Sportsbook, priced +600. Only Saints receiver Chris Olave has better odds (+500).

In Sunday's eventual home loss to the New York Jets, the Steelers were down 10-6 at the half when Tomlin decided to bench Mitch Trubisky for Pickett, who finished 10-for-13 for 120 yards with three picks (one on a Hail Mary) and two rushing touchdowns. None of Pickett's passes hit the turf. For what it's worth, Ben Roethlisberger threw two picks in his 2004 debut filling in for Tommy Maddox and then won each of his first 15 regular-season starts.

What's a bit interesting about this decision is that after Trubisky struggled for the third straight week in a 29-17 loss to the Browns in Week 3, Tomlin publicly refused to even consider the possibility of changing his quarterback ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets. The Steelers are about to face quite the gauntlet in the Bills, Bucs, Dolphins and Eagles before their Week 9 bye.

Trubisky won a three-man QB competition against Pickett and Mason Rudolph in training camp but probably won't see the field again this year barring injury to Pickett. Trubisky was 7-for-13 for 84 yards and an interception against the Jets. In three-plus games as the Steelers' starter, Trubisky had just two touchdown passes.

Pittsburgh, sitting ahead of only winless Houston in the AFC, has never finished with a losing record under Tomlin but now has a season win total of just 5.5, with the Under a -150 favorite. To make the playoffs, the Steelers are -1000.

Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp plays on the total and props you can take straight to the pay window? Join Jonathan Coachman on The Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview the day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short and sweet and to put some green in your pocket. The Early Edge is in your feed every single day by 11 a.m. ET. Subscribe right here on YouTube to watch daily, plus don't miss The Early Edge specials and live shows!