Getty Image / Sarah Stier
Every Pittsburgh Steelers season seems to be the same lately. They play good defense alongside subpar offense, win between 8–10 games, and if they make the playoffs, it’s a first round exit.
Most of the problems can be chalked up to poor quarterback play. The end of legend Ben Roethlisberger’s career was not his best, and since then, the team has struggled to find even league-average quarterback play.
The team drafted quarterback Kenny Pickett with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Pitt to be the long-term solution at the position following Big Ben. But, in two seasons, he hasn’t shown any indication that he has the ability to be that guy.
Kenny Pickett has just 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 24 career starts with the Steelers, and his touchdown rate is the lowest in NFL history among qualified quarterbacks. Yes, he’s won 14 of those starts, but the Steelers’ offense has been awful in basically every game he’s started.
Pickett’s lack of production was magnified when Mason Rudolph came in at the end of the season after a Pickett injury and played well. The offense looked much better under the veteran, putting Kenny Pickett’s job security in doubt.
But, at Monday’s end-of-season press availability for team owner Art Rooney II, he gave a pretty big endorsement of Kenny Pickett, according to the official website of the Pittsburgh Steelers.“We still feel good about Kenny Pickett and his future,” said Rooney.
“He knows he needs to work hard to take the next step. We’ve talked about that. One of the things I think we like about Kenny in terms of his career was how hard he worked, and he took a step every year. We’re looking for that to happen here. That’s an important component of the next coordinator, making sure he helps Kenny take the next step.“With that being said, can’t discount what Mason did,” added Rooney. “Can’t discount the fact that having competition will be good for everybody. Mason came in and showed, I think, what we’re capable of when we do get quality play at the quarterback position. Appreciate what Mason did. We’re interested in bringing Mason back.”
I can’t say I agree with Art Rooney II in the slightest. Kenny Pickett was a below-average draft prospect, and that’s the kind of quarterback he is in the NFL. Mike Tomlin, one of the NFL’s best coaches, deserves better than to have downright awful quarterback play.