Steelers wisely turn Trubisky page and now embark on Kenny Pickett era

Just like the torch was once passed to Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers have officially turned to a new era with quarterback, Kenny Pickett. 

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a rookie quarterback, oozing with tremendous upside, takes over the starting position after the incumbent starter struggles mightily out of the gate and/or suffers a career-altering injury. Coincidence? I think not.

Insert Ben Roethlisberger, the 11th overall pick selected in the 2004 NFL Draft (1 of 4 QBs taken-Manning, Rivers, Roethlisberger, & Losman). Roethlisberger leapfrogged to the top of the Week 4 depth chart over Tommy Maddox, who once also became the starter mid-game while previously backing up Kordell Stewart during Week 4 2002.

Once Roethlisberger took the reins from Maddox he then proceeded to start 18 consecutive seasons (2004-2021), winning 2/3 Super Bowl appearances (XL, XLIII) and appearing in 6 Pro Bowls (’07,’11,’14-’17).

Now history repeats itself, but this time with an interesting caveat. Take Mitch Trubisky, for instance, who was selected second overall during the 2017 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears but quickly fell out of favor with the Windy City by 2020 (oddly enough) and winds up in Buffalo (where he’d backup Josh Allen for 1 season-2021). He goes on to sign as an unrestricted free agent with the Black & Gold, opting for better hopes of being a starter elsewhere.

In 2022, Pittsburgh needs to find its “guy” once again. Pitt Panther prodigy Kenny Pickett dazzles his way into the Steelers’ lap with the 20th overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Steelers begin a new era with Pickett

Herein lies another chapter of quarterback battles between a rookie 1st Round draftee and a former 1st Round draftee who’s now fighting to stay alive in the NFL room of relevancy. Three weeks go by, and Pittsburgh already finds itself clamoring and pounding the table for the new guy (a local hero) to come in and save the day from what has already been a disastrous start (1-2).

Week 4 is an afternoon date with the New York Jets, home at Acrisure Stadium (still Heinz Field to many). Surely enough, that is when the tide turns favorable as it did with Maddox and Roethlisberger in 2004 at Baltimore. QB A 1st half stat line: 7/13, 53.85 Passer Rating, 84 Yards, 0 TDs, 1INT, and a 41.8 QBR. Result? A 10-6 halftime deficit. Leading the NFL in 3 & Outs, to top things off.

But here comes the hope everyone dreamed of — an unlikely quarterback change to start the 2nd half. Kenny Pickett has now entered the chat, and a 180 swing takes place in the hearts of countless Yinzers. It’s almost as if new life has been pumped back into the city, stadium, and fanbase (and rightfully so).

According to Pro Football Reference, Pickett finished with 10/13 passes, a 76.92 Passer Rating, 120 Passing Yards, 0 Passing TD, 3 INTs, 65.1 QBR, 6 Rushes, 15 Rushing Yards, and 2 Rushing TDs. KP8 by no means is perfect out of the gate but has certainly proven the only way to go is up from here.

Oozing with legitimate talent and potential, the Pickett era has officially begun. All aboard the Kenny train, folks. The keys, and the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers, are his. History will tell us a lot about him. Everyone now knows the team has their “guy”, especially one with much poise and a confident determination. In hindsight, Week 4 will be one to remember for the ages.