Steelers turn to rookie QB Kenny Pickett in second half vs Jets
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally made their change at quarterback vs Jets. Here’s how Kenny Pickett saw the field for the first time in his NFL career.
It took three and a half games of dismal offensive play, but Mike Tomlin finally did make the change to rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett. In the first half against the New York Jets in Week 4, starting quarterback, Mitch Trubisky, looked much like he did in the first three games — earning just 84 total passing yards (6.5 yards per attempt) and managing just 6 points through two quarters on offense.
Apparently, Tomlin had finally seen enough. Though it was Trubisky who saw all of the first-team reps for the Steelers leading up to this Week 4 contest against the Jets, Pittsburgh’s head coach finally made the switch to Pickett.
On his first offensive series, Pickett converted a fourth down attempt — the first for Pittsburgh on the season — with a successful QB sneak. Sadly, his first NFL pass was intercepted. Pickett looked deep to chase Claypool, but the safety made a great play to deflect the ball and a Jets cornerback came down with it.
The Steelers are hoping to get a spark with the rookie quarterback, but the timing from Mike Tomlin is interesting.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett will face a brutal slate of games
The crowd at Acrisure Stadium erupted when Pickett finally jogged out onto the field for the first time in his career. While this is what fans wanted from the beginning, there could be challenges on the horizon.
Over the next four games, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles — three of which will be on the road. Based on the strength of schedule at the beginning of the year, this could prove to be the toughest four-game stretch any team (or quarterback) will face this year.
After going to Pickett, there isn’t a chance that Tomlin reverts back to Trubisky at this point; it’s just not something you do to a rookie quarterback. Pickett got the crowd pumped up during the second half against the Jets, but he will be battle-tested very quickly.
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We called for big changes, and the Steelers are finally making them. All we can do now is hope that Pickett shows development despite a really tough slate of games starting next week. Either way, it’s Kenny Pickett time, baby!