Kenny Pickett didn’t succeed. That’s the essence of his journey.
He was misled by Mike Tomlin, though he’s not alone in that experience. A previous deception by Tomlin, one that misled Mitch Trubisky, actually benefited Pickett.
In the 2022 season, Tomlin assured Trubisky he would remain the starting quarterback until at least Week 9, coinciding with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ bye week. However, Pickett took over in the second half of Week 4.
The idea of a contest between Pickett and Russell Wilson was never realistic. Anyone who thought otherwise was mistaken. Pickett was skeptical, especially after Tomlin announced Wilson would start practicing with the first team.
Pickett felt let down by his teammates, who openly encouraged Wilson to come to the Steelers. This was undoubtedly difficult for him to accept.
Pickett’s own insecurities proved to be his biggest obstacle, more so than any physical limitations. His inability to handle not starting in Week 17 at Seattle or his negative attitude towards learning from the sidelines showed a lack of maturity.
Matt Canada, the former offensive coordinator, didn’t provide Pickett with the support he needed by implementing a widely criticized strategy. Yet, Pickett’s departure shortly after Canada suggests the Steelers viewed both as problematic.
However, these are just minor details.
The main narrative remains that Pickett didn’t meet expectations.
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Steelers’ decision to trade Pickett:
– Tim Benz discusses how the Kenny Pickett trade demonstrates the Steelers’ confidence in Russell Wilson and why their words should be taken with caution.
– Steelers fans are both shocked and pleasantly surprised by the Kenny Pickett trade.
– The brief era of Kenny Pickett with the Steelers transitions from a warm welcome to a swift exit.
– The Steelers move Kenny Pickett to the Eagles in a quarterback trade.
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Pickett entered the professional football scene at 24, deemed ready for the NFL, yet he rarely showcased the expected level of performance in his 24 starts.
He occasionally led successful late drives, but it’s debatable whether this was due to skill or mere chance.
Supporters of Pickett point to his win-loss record. However, the Steelers managed to secure victories in spite of Pickett’s modest contributions.
His record was just 14-10, which is unremarkable. Pickett’s team never clinched the AFC North title and only made it to the playoffs last season after he was benched. Success is measured by sufficient victories.
Pickett’s arm strength is lacking. His awareness in the pocket is questionable, often leading him into trouble, resulting in sacks or giving advantages to the opposing team. His finesse is far from delicate. Pickett struggles to prove himself as a competent NFL starter.
In 25 games, Pickett managed 13 touchdown passes. He only surpassed 300 passing yards in a game once and threw more than one touchdown in a game just once. Thirteen times, he didn’t throw a single touchdown. He holds the lowest touchdown-to-pass attempt ratio for any NFL quarterback with over 500 attempts: 1.82%. His performance is difficult to justify.
Now, his overconfidence has put him in a position where playing time is even less likely, with no clear path to a starting role. Pickett is a decade younger than Wilson but two months older than Philadelphia’s quarterback, Jalen Hurts.
When you look beyond the external drama, the story is straightforward: Pickett didn’t make the cut. This is undeniable.
Pickett also faced the consequences of his actions. This, too, is undeniable.