The Pittsburgh Steelers were heavily criticized after last season for not having a succession plan for Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers were patient, did not panic and when the draft fell perfectly, they nabbed Kenny Pickett who was just the fourth first-round draft pick in the Super Bowl era at quarterback for the black and gold.
Some observers felt they could not afford to pass on a Pitt Panther prospect at the end of another Hall of Fame quarterback’s career like they famously did in 1983 when they passed on Dan Marino to replace Terry Bradshaw. Franco Harris announced the pick for the black and gold on draft night and the expectations started to build in Pittsburgh.
Kenny Pickett gearing up to throw a pass. (Photo Credit: NFL.com)
Pickett joined long-time Pittsburgh defensive captain Cam Heyward’s podcast, Not Just Football to discuss the weight of being a Pittsburgh first-round quarterback pick and what he was expected to deliver in his career going forward.
“It was good at Pitt, I kind of had a standard set by Dan Marino,” Pickett began. “The Steelers have Ben and Terry Bradshaw, they have set the standard. I’ve had greats at the college level to follow and greats at the pro level to follow.”
Marino, Bradshaw and Roethlisberger are all Hall of Fame caliber quarterbacks and Pickett delivered an ACC Championship while chasing Marino to Pitt in 2021. That is an important sign he isn't afraid of the moment or expectations.
The rookie signal caller, with some help from Heyward, learned he can’t go from zero to great in the NFL and that the process required not just enthusiasm but an honest self-reflection on how he handled his teammates. The young signal caller's demeanor and playing style are different from his predecessor’s and that isn’t a bad thing.
“The standard is just winning championships,” Pickett continued. “Guys have their different ways of doing it. I don’t know what Ben’s routine was for games. I have my own routine for games, it doesn’t matter how it gets done as long as it gets done. That’s the goal, that’s the standard by the greats that was set here before me.”
Football: Franco Harris (32) and Terry Bradshaw (12) look on during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Latrobe, PA 7/22/1982 CREDIT: James Drake (Photo by James Drake/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Bradshaw, who was Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 1970, led them to four Super Bowl titles in four tries and, for many, is still the gold standard of Steelers quarterbacks. Roethlisberger was drafted in 2004, went 2-1 in Super Bowls and holds virtually every Steelers passing record. The other first-round draft pick was Mark Malone in 1980 and even he led the team to the AFC championship game. They all had at least some success in the NFL.
“All I care about is winning games and winning championships,” the rookie concluded his thought. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to do that. I’m excited to be a Steeler and chase those guys.”
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 1, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh seems to have found their franchise quarterback in Pickett. The rookie seemed to cure his early habit of turning the ball over after the bye week and by season’s end was leading game-winning drives for a team that played meaningful games in December and January. He may not be a Hall of Famer like his predecessor, but he understands what the standard is in Pittsburgh and he means to deliver.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Is it too early to call Pickett the next franchise quarterback in Pittsburgh or has he arrived? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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