Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats hosts a podcast called The Arthur Moats Experience. Recently, he welcomed another former Steelers LB, Terence Garvin as a guest. One of the topics they debated is which rookie is a better quarterback, Steelers' Kenny Pickett, or San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy.
Former Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats. Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Steelers drafted Pickett in the first round with the 20th overall pick in 2022 out of the University of Pittsburgh. Purdy, on the other hand, was named "Mr. Irrelevant," because he was the last pick of the draft.
One thing Pickett and Purdy both have in common is that they have proven their pre-draft haters wrong.
Purdy has been anything but irrelevant in San Fran. Analysts are saying he was misjudged coming out of college, where despite having a solid collegiate career, he was criticized for not being athletic enough and having low arm strength.
Pickett was ridiculed for his hand size and arm strength. Many analysts felt that the only reason he was the first QB drafted was that the draft class was weak.
Pickett took over for starting QB, Mitch Trubisky, in Week 4. Pickett threw eight interceptions to only three touchdowns during his first five games, with one win and four losses. After the bye week, the team made a dramatic turnaround. Pickett only had one interception to four touchdowns in the last eight games. They finished the season, post-bye with seven wins and two losses.
Purdy started as QB3 and quickly took over after starter, Trey Lance went down with an ankle injury in Week 2 and then backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo hurt his foot in December. He excelled beyond anyone's expectations, winning all five starts and earning the 49ers the second seed in the playoffs.
Former Steelers linebacker, Terence Garvin. Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports
Steelers' Pickett or 49ers' Purdy?
These two rookie quarterbacks have both been successful and it has analysts debating which one is better. Moats and Garvin weighed in as well.
Garvin pointed out that Kyle Shanahan is so brilliant offensively, he can make almost anyone look good. He also felt Purdy was misjudged coming out of college.
As for Pickett, Garvin admitted he did not agree with the pick and did not think he was pro-material. He said he has to take that back now:
"I thought he played great at the end of the season. I thought he finally settled in and I think he got a lot of people their jobs back. He was impressive. I sent my apology letter in."
Garvin said that as far as the comparison goes:
"Kenny's better than him on paper. Kenny's a first-rounder and the situation he was asked to go into. Those are different situations. Purdy's in there, he's playing with nothing to lose. There's no tomorrow."
Moats mentioned that Steeler fans are well-versed in your franchise QB getting hurt and a third-stringer taking over. He points out that you just hope for the best and there isn't necessarily an expectation to win.
There was no other player behind Purdy breathing down his neck if he didn't perform well enough. Pickett on the other hand took over for a benched player, with a vet sitting behind him, hoping for another shot. Garvin explained:
"For Purdy, all you gotta do is your best. If it don't work, it didn't work, be the best you can be. While Kenny's in there, they're like, 'We booed somebody to get you! We need you to be the best.' It's way different."
Moats agreed, saying that the pressure of failure changes this, but both QB's displayed mental toughness. Both of them agreed that the way that Pickett brought the team back from the abyss, improved a totally dysfunctional offense, and kept it above .500, gives him the edge over Purdy.
Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
"I got mad respect for Purdy, but I think Kenny would be doing just as good as Purdy if he was with the 49ers. I do not think that Purdy could do what Pickett did here with the Steelers. Turning us around in the second half of the season like that. If Kenny had been in San Fran, he's the Offensive Rookie of the Year."
Where do you stand in the Purdy vs. Pickett debate? How far do you think San Fran will make it in the playoffs? Who do you think will have a better sophomore season? Comment below!
#SteelerNation
