The Pittsburgh Steelers used their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to select quarterback Kenny Pickett, bringing him in with high expectations as the potential future of the franchise. However, after just two seasons, the Steelers decided to trade Pickett, effectively giving up on him.

Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada talks with Kenny Pickett on the sideline during a game in the Steel City.

Pickett's two seasons in the NFL were marked by struggles, throwing 13 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Despite these challenges, he managed to lead the Steelers to a 14-10 record as a starter. The primary issue was that fans and analysts found it difficult to assess Pickett's true potential due to a poor offensive system that hindered overall performance.

Initially, it seemed as if the Steelers committed to Pickett, but the situation changed when they announced the signing of former Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. This move prompted Pickett to request a trade, which the Steelers granted, thus ending his tenure in Pittsburgh.

What may shock Steelers fans is the amount of merchandise Pickett sold during the 2023 season. The NFLPA released a year-end top 50 NFL players sales list, which features the only verified rankings of all officially licensed NFL player products and merchandise. Covering the period from March 2023 to February 2024, Pickett secured an impressive 34th place on this list.

He wasn't the only Steelers player to make the top 50 in merchandise sales. Steelers star T.J. Watt ranked 22nd on the list. Pickett's 34th place ranking includes all jersey sales and various other merchandise items related to him.

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Pittsburgh Steelers star TJ Watt makes a huge hit on the Bengals backup quarterback, Jake Browning.

The Steelers also traded for another quarterback after parting ways with Pickett, acquiring Justin Fields, who ranked 31st on the list. Additionally, their new quarterback, Wilson, ranked 42nd.

It might not be as surprising as it seems that Pickett moved so much merchandise, considering he was the starting quarterback for the majority of the season, and the Steelers have incredibly loyal fans. 

Naturally, Steelers fans would buy his merchandise. However, it's amusing to reflect on how the unwavering support of the Steelers fan base helped boost him to 34th on the NFLPA’s year-end top 50 player sales list. With his recent trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, it's unlikely his jerseys will fly off the shelves as they did in Pittsburgh.

Steelers' Kenny Pickett Set To Back Up The Top Seller

Interestingly, the quarterback Pickett will be backing up, Jalen Hurts, ranked number one on the list. It's always exciting to see which players top the merchandise sales each season, reflecting both their on-field performance and fan support. Despite his disappointing end with the Steelers, Pickett’s popularity among fans remained strong during his tenure. Now, as he joins the Eagles, he'll take on a backup role to Hurts. It will be fascinating to see when Pickett's next opportunity to start in the NFL will come.

Eagles Wire

Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett talks with Eagles QB Jalen Hurts after a game in Philadelphia.

The Steelers' fan base, known for their major support, not only helped Pickett achieve significant merchandise sales but also demonstrated their loyalty in challenging times. This transition marks a new chapter for Pickett, and while his jerseys may not sell as briskly with the Eagles, his journey in the NFL continues to captivate fans and analysts alike.

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