The Pittsburgh Steelers are cleaning out their lockers after yet another disappointing finish to a season. Many players have already spoken to the media about their future. The press has been all over this team since their Wild Card loss, and they even made Mike Tomlin leave his postgame conference in the middle of an unwanted question. Some players have already answered other questions about the team, like some regrets on what happened during the year. Tuesday actually brought forth a new question, like where was the team's quarterback and captain for media availability?
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterbacks, Mitchell Trubisky (#10) and Kenny Pickett (#8) warm up on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA.
Kenny Pickett has taken plenty of heat over not being the leader that was expected with the captaincy role. He has been trying to do a lot to prove that he is not bitter about losing the starting job to Mason Rudolph after reports that came out after Week 17.
Despite being benched, Pickett still has to be a leader off the field, like Mitch Trubisky was in 2022. His end-of-season remarks might show if he is truly fit to lead this young offense, or if the team just needs to get rid of him and roll with Rudolph. Some say actions speak louder than words, and Pickett's actions have spoken a lot more than what he said, literally.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is undeniably a competitor, but it has yet to be seen if he can be a productive NFL quarterback.
Steelers May Need New Offensive Leader
Throughout all the media availabilities since the team's loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday, Pickett was nowhere to be seen. Many other players have spoken to the media, including both defensive captains, TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward. There has been no word on why Pickett has not been seen with the team during the locker room portion of postgame and postseason interviews.
I did not see Kenny Pickett in either of the two locker room availabilities today. A bit unusual for a captain not to speak with reporters on locker clean out day. TJ Watt and Cam Heyward did interviews today. Next opportunity for local reporters to speak with Pickett likely OTAs
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) January 16, 2024
The Steelers may need to go on the hunt for a new offensive leader. Even though many fans think the interviews are sometimes meaningless, it is still important for a captain to speak on behalf of either the team, or at least his own side of the ball. Steeler Nation has no clue who will be the quarterback and the captain of the team in 2024, and Pickett has done little to help his case.
JORDAN SCHOFIELD / STEELERNATION (TWITTER / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (8) and Mason Rudolph (2) have both been pegged at times as the replacement for Ben Roethlisberger.
What Should Steelers Do About Pickett?
It's important not to speculate too much on Pickett's media absence, especially this early in the offseason. But one has to wonder if recent reports on the second-year signal-caller reflect a pattern of concern.
As of now, the Steelers are set to bring Pickett back and possibly battle for his QB1 position again this offseason. He still has some upside, and maybe he needs to fight for his role for him to truly improve himself, as opposed to being handed the starting job on a silver platter. If he wants to be a Steeler, he needs to prove it to his coaches, his teammates, and the fan base.
What do you think of Kenny Pickett not speaking to the media at season's end? Should he be a Steeler in 2024 or are you ready to see the organization do away with him already? Let us know in the comments.
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