During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected who was believed to be their next franchise quarterback with the 20th overall pick. At the time, the Steelers had their choice of any quarterback in the entire class. Discussions rose about whether it would be Malik Willis, Sam Howell, Carson Strong, and the guy that they went with was Kenny Pickett.
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Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (#8) rolls out of the pocket against the Las Vegas Raiders in Pittsburgh, PA.
Better Choice For The Steelers Than Pickett
Many people thought that Pickett would end up being a bust, but he has done the complete opposite from his showing in 2022. Now going into this season, he is considering the best or second-best quarterback from his class with San Fransisco 49ers' Brock Purdy being the only other quarterback who looks remotely like a starting quarterback.
The quarterbacks which people thought would become superstars in the league are actually becoming average backups, with none bigger than Willis. Willis was projected to be drafted in the first round and some people at the time felt that he could have been a better choice for the Steelers than Pickett.
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Tennessee Titans quarterback, Malik Willis gets out of the pocket to run during a 2022 regular season game in Nashville, TN.
One of the people that brought no faith in Pickett was Dan Orlovsky on an episode of First Take on ESPN. This was right after we selected Pickett and we had just brought in Mitchell Trubisky from the free agency. With this, Orlovsky would go to on say how he thinks that Trubisky and Pickett are the same quarterbacks.
"Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky are pretty much the same player. They are guys that are good athletes that use their legs to help them become better players. They are average with their accuracy, and they are mechanically flawed." Orlovsky would then say, "Neither guy has this high-end ability."
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Offensive coordinator Matt Canada and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) walk toward the huddle.
Looking at what is in store for AFC North quarterbacks, I honestly think that Pickett can be the second-best quarterback in the division. I feel that ever since Cleveland Browns' Deshaun Watson came to Cleveland with the allegations, that his whole career went wrong. Watching him last year, he did not impress me like he once did when with the Houston Texans.
Lamar Jackson for the Baltimore Ravens will eventually lose the athletic ability that he has now. This will lead him to be an average quarterback in the NFL and I could honestly see him out of the league by 34. The best example of what I think is going to happen with Jackson is taking a look at Cam Newton. A MVP quarterback who is only 34 today and can't even secure a roster spot. Newton was known for making crazy scrambles and huge rushing touchdowns, much like Jackson.
The only quarterback from the AFC North that I think has a future in the league is Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow. I think he going to have a great career and be solid in the league for years to come. Already at the age of 26, he has a Super Bowl appearance, Heisman, NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and much more.
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Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow (#9) makes a throw during a regular season contest in Cincinnati, OH.
With this however, Orlovsky mentioned that he believed Pickett would not be any better than any of these guys along with him saying the comparability of him and Trubisky. He believed that he would be an average quarterback in the NFL.
"I don't think that the Steelers can sit there and say within their own division that they have a quarterback that gives them a chance over the next decade."
So, what do you think Steeler Nation? Personally, I think Kenny Pickett is the next big thing and will be a great quarterback for years to come in the NFL. Do you think every AFC North quarterback is better than Pickett? Let me know in the comments below!
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