A year ago, offseason quarterback discussion around the league surrounded the Pittsburgh Steelers. When Ben Roethlisberger, one of the top quarterbacks in the league for 18 years announced his retirement, the future in Pittsburgh was uncertain. Unlike past draft classes with a clear, first-overall worthy quarterback like Joe Burrow or Trevor Lawrence, there was no clear consensus for the biggest talent leading up to the 2022 NFL draft. Most conversations surrounded University of Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett and Liberty University's Malik Willis. While Pickett was viewed as the most "pro-ready" quarterback, the media's focus remained on his historically small hand-size.
University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett during his time on the Pitt Panthers
The first day of the draft rolled around and 14 teams passed up on Pickett before the Steelers snagged him with the 20th pick. While some were shocked that they didn't go with Willis, Pickett ultimately proved to be the right guy for the job in Pittsburgh. Pickett earned the starting job after replacing Mitch Trubisky in the fourth game of the season. The young quarterback won over the hearts of Pittsburgh as he led the Steelers to a 9-8 record and multiple fourth-quarter comeback victories.
Other Teams Are Regretting Their Choice
The Carolina Panthers, who passed on Pickett and instead selected offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu with the sixth pick, have already made moves to find their next quarterback. The Panthers headed into the 2022 season with two former AFC North quarterbacks in Andy Dalton and Baker Mayfield, as well as rookie Matt Corral. Following a 7-10 season, the Panthers are on the lookout for a true QB1. In exchange for the first overall pick, the Panthers traded away wide receiver DJ Moore, and major draft capital with the 9th overall pick and a second-round pick this year, a 2024 first-round and a second-round pick in 2025 all to the Chicago Bears.
It appears that the Panthers aren't the only team scrambling for a high-draft pick, as it's been revealed that multiple teams are looking to make a deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
At least six teams have inquired with the Arizona Cardinals about trading up for the third overall pick in the upcoming April 27 NFL Draft, per league sources. Cardinals still are mulling whether to move pick or make it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 10, 2023
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The Cardinals have a very mobile and high maintenance quarterback in Kyler Murray and they aren't in the neighborhood to be looking for a new signal-caller any time soon. While it hasn't been announced which teams are trying to work a deal with Arizona, many believe that the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans are definitely involved in the conversation. While the Titans passed up on Pickett with the 18th pick, the Colts didn't have a pick due to the conditions of the 2021 Carson Wentz trade.
Ohio State University's C.J. Stroud and University of Alabama’s Bryce Young are highly anticipated to go first and second in the draft. This would leave Will Levis or Anthony Richardson to go third in the draft. Mike DiFabio of The Athletic spoke on how these quarterbacks compare to Pickett in last year's draft.
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"Only once all of the quarterbacks have a chance to develop will we have our answer, but I actually think they did. I’d rate Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young 1-2. I’d have Pickett third in this class, which would almost certainly make him a top-10 pick."
How will the 2023 draft class quarterbacks compare to Pickett? We'll have to wait and see. But here at SteelerNation, we're glad we didn't save the quarterback problem for this year.
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