The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett this year as their starting quarterback of the future. It appears that the future is now with the news that Pickett will replace Mitch Trubisky as the team’s starter this Sunday when the team takes on the Buffalo Bills.
“The Steelers are expected to move forward with rookie QB Kenny Pickett, sources say, as the first-rounder is set to replace Mitch Trubisky in the lineup,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “Pickett saw his first action on Sunday and is slated to be the QB moving forward.”
The #Steelers are expected to move forward with rookie QB Kenny Pickett, sources say, as the first-rounder is set to replace Mitch Trubisky in the lineup. Pickett saw his first action on Sunday and is slated to be the QB moving forward. pic.twitter.com/Lc2ZiMerlg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 3, 2022
Pickett replaced Trubisky this past weekend in the Steelers’ eventual loss to the New York Jets. After Trubisky went 7-of-13 for 84 yards and an interception, head coach Mike Tomlin finally made the call and inserted the rookie into the game. Pickett completed 10 of 13 passes for 120 yards with three interceptions, though one of those was on a Hail Mary in the game’s final moments. However, Pickett also rushed for 15 yards and two touchdowns.
Fans had been calling on Tomlin to replace Trubisky with Pickett for some time now as the writing has been on the wall. With a 1-3 record, Pittsburgh doesn’t have much to lose by starting to invest in getting the rookie the experience he needs to be a worthy successor to Ben Rothlisberger, who retired last year.
The news of Pickett’s ascension was met with a lot of strong reactions from around the NFL world.
A few things!!
1. Mitch isn't to blame for the Steelers being 1-3
2. He *did* look like a veteran QB aggressively avoiding making mistakes instead of taking shots
3. I don't think Kenny turns everything around for this team, but that's ok
4. High hopes, low expectations https://t.co/uqDAUuhdiY— patrick (@muldowney) October 3, 2022
The right move. There was no way the Steelers could go back to Trubisky after the spark Pickett provided on Sunday. https://t.co/Tx0OZ7boXU
— Hunter (@HunterHodies) October 3, 2022
Pittsburgh rightfully moving forward with the Pitt QB https://t.co/bTQYxNvP22
— Jared Phillips (@JaredL_Phillips) October 3, 2022
Trubisky lasted all of 4 weeks lol. Most of us saw this coming https://t.co/NtBx1QOhpZ
— Anthony Duckett (@a_duckett) October 3, 2022
It’s good news for Pickett except for the fact that he’ll be making his starting debut against the Bills’ defense.
Looks like it will be the #Bills No. 2 ranked defense for Kenny Pickett’s first NFL start. https://t.co/W7POcDteMW
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) October 3, 2022
Good luck, Kenny.
