The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new starting quarterback and his name is Kenny Pickett.
Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed the news on Tuesday with a simple “Kenny will start this week” soundbite to the press.
The move was expected after Pickett’s performance against the New York Jets.
While he threw three interceptions in a loss, he provided the Steelers with a “spark” that has been non-existent with Mitchell Trubisky, who led his team to just six points at halftime.
And it may have been only three had it not been edge rusher Carl Lawson’s unnecessary roughing of the passer penalty at the end of the half.
In the final two quarters, Pickett threw for 120 total yards, completing 76.9% of his passes.
In his final college season in 2021, Pickett threw for 4319 yards, registering 8.7 per attempted pass.
The Steelers in the 2022 NFL draft decided to take a waiver on him and selected him in the first round at 20th overall.
That decision followed the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
And this week, Pickett is set to get reps with the starters.
His supporting cast of wide receivers includes talented second-round pick George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, Gunner Olszewski and Chase Claypool.
Currently, the Steelers sit dead last in the AFC North at 1-3.
So, the move serves to act both in desperation and for the future of the Steelers.
“We have no reservations about what Kenny is going to be capable of in terms of schematics,” Tomlin said.
“Obviously we have a level of concern about the environment we’re taking them into, but we have a level of concern about any quarterback that you taking to that environment versus that defense and that venue.”
The Steelers will have a tough matchup at task on Sunday – having to play on the road against the 3-1 Buffalo Bills.
