The Pittsburgh Steelers began a period of transition once future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season. The Steelers didn't wait long to find their next franchise passer, selecting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite his pedigree and the hometown storyline, Pickett's young career hasn't panned out like anyone would have liked. Going into 2024, ESPN has very little confidence in the Steelers' quarterback situation.
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Pittsburgh Steelers retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger always gave his team a chance of winning no matter what
Steelers' Pickett Not The Man For The Future, Says ESPN
Roethlisberger held the reins to the Pittsburgh franchise for nearly two decades, during which he set a high standard not only for quarterback play, but also for team success. With Roethlisberger under center, the Steelers reached three Super Bowls and won two of them, making that bar incredibly high to reach.
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It didn't take Roethlisberger very long to show what he was capable of doing, leading the Steelers to the AFC Championship in his rookie season (2004). Pickett has yet to show anything close to that kind of leadership or ability, and he is going to be entering his third professional year. Bill Barnwell, a staff writer for ESPN, has Pickett and the Steelers among the worst quarterback situations in the NFL for the 2024 campaign and beyond. While Pittsburgh's season showed glimpses of success at the end, none of it was because of Pickett.
"The only problem is those signs of life came with longtime backup Mason Rudolph in the fold after a disappointing season from Kenny Pickett, who entered the regular season with breakout hype, only to post the league's No. 27 QBR before suffering an ankle injury. He reportedly was healthy by the end of the season, but Tomlin decided against going back to the 2022 first-rounder down the stretch."
Anyone who watched the final four games of the Steelers' 2023 season, including their Wild Card matchup, saw a drastic difference between anything that was produced earlier. The first 14 weeks were a constant struggle for the Steelers to remotely resemble a competitive football team. Pickett might still be considered the early starting quarterback for the 2024 season, but that is on very thin ice and should probably be different by the time the 2024 Steelers play games that matter.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) has a great hometown storyline but has struggled early in his professional career
Steelers Can't Use First Round Excuse Anymore
The first-round investment is a popular argument over staying with Pickett despite what Rudolph showed on the field. That may hold a modicum of truth, but the reality is that nothing Pickett has shown outside of flashes here and there proves that he is capable of being a true franchise quarterback. Barnwell believes that if the Steelers rely solely on Pickett in 2024 and for their future, it will result in the same as what they have seen rather than any sort of growth. Without someone to challenge him, Pickett will remain stagnant and unproductive.
"First-round picks have a longer leash than others, but it would be a major disappointment if general manager Omar Khan didn't import a veteran to replace Mitch Trubisky and challenge Pickett in 2024. If the Steelers can acquire a Geno Smith type of QB (and enjoy the same kind of offensive boost the Seahawks got when they signed Smith), they could have the potential to make a much deeper playoff run."
There have been rumors and stories regarding the Steelers bringing in a veteran quarterback rather than going with the group they currently have, but for the moment, it seems like Pickett's job to lose. Now, whether that is a positive or negative for the future of the Steelers will take some time to figure out.
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Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph hardly ever saw the field during Ben Roethlisberger's career but stayed ready for his chance
Mason Rudolph certainly did enough in the final four games of the 2023 season to get himself legitimate interest in free agency, but the Steelers had a front-row seat to the rejuvenated energy he brought to the team. The history between Rudolph and the Steelers could very well be the deciding factor in this case, as Rudolph may find hefty paydays elsewhere in the league. If Rudolph seeks greener pastures, Pittsburgh will have to find some other steady presence to keep Pickett honest.
The Steelers tricked themselves into believing that Mitch Trubisky was their experienced answer at quarterback, at least for the moment, but that ended in disaster. Hopefully, Pittsburgh will be able to choose their next veteran passer with more success. Otherwise, the 2024 season will be all about Pickett, and so far, that hasn't amounted to much.
Who should the Steelers bring in at quarterback to challenge Kenny Pickett in 2024?
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