Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky are even closer than you realize

Here’s some wholesome football friendship from the Pittsburgh Steelers to brighten your week. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed former No. 2 pick Mitch Trubisky to a two-year extension in May. Trubisky famously lost his starting job to young Kenny Pickett last season, but that doesn’t seem to have damaged their relationship.

In fact, Trubisky said his relationship with Pickett is what made him re-sign in Pittsburgh. And that friendship has carried off the field and beyond the locker room.

Pickett, whose birthday is June 6, celebrated another trip around the sun with Hilary Trubisky, Mitch’s wife, in what appears to be a joint party.

Steelers QBs Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky are close friends on and off the field

Pickett has been through his share of controversy regarding relationships in the QB room since he arrived in Pittsburgh. First there were the rumors of Ben Roethlisberger essentially giving him the cold shoulder as a rookie. Then, last season, Pickett took the job that initially belonged to Trubisky, which is enough to stir up any amateur gossiper.

But Trubisky was immediately supportive of Pickett and that relationship has evidently blossomed into a legitimate partnership. The 24-year-old Pickett still has a long developmental path ahead of him and Trubisky is there to offer wisdom on the sidelines and in practice. Plus, the Steelers have to be happy about having a trusted backup with starting experience like Trubisky.

Pittsburgh was 7-5 in games Pickett started last season. He threw for 2,404 yards and seven touchdowns with a completion percentage of 63.0 — but his nine interceptions were a slight blemish. He will look to turn that TD-INT ratio around in his first full season as the Steelers’ starting QB.

Pittsburgh added a lot of promising talent through the draft, most notably No. 14 pick Broderick Jones who will be tasked with protecting Pickett on the O-line. The Steelers are embracing the youth movement, but Pickett has already proven he’s capable of winning games. Pittsburgh could announce their presence as contenders sooner than later if Pickett takes major strides.