Steelers Were Fooled By Kenny Pickett As He Turns Out To Be Nothing More Than "Tim Tebow"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' time with Kenny Pickett as their quarterback came to a sudden end when he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The trade came on the heels of Russell Wilson joining the Steelers after his unsuccessful two years with the Denver Broncos. While the Pickett trade was the best for both parties, there is sufficient evidence that Pickett didn't do nearly enough to keep himself in Pittsburgh. Ramon Foster believes the issue was in the experience Pickett had prior to being drafted.

Pickett played quarterback for the University of Pittsburgh from 2017 to 2021. During that time, he played in 52 games for the Panthers, putting together a 32-20 record. In the 2021 season, Pickett led the team to a record of11-2 and an ACC Championship, not to mention earning himself that first-round designation. On The Ramon Foster Show Thursday, Foster didn't see the collegiate experience as a plus for Pickett but rather something that stunted his growth when he got to the professional level.

"I didn't realize he had 49 starts in college... You know what I think it turned into? I think you wanted a guy that was -- you was gonna be able to mold. Meaning he was still gonna be able to learn, but after watching his play and seeing how many starts he's had, I think he might have just been [Tim] Tebow; stuck in his ways. Ain't no way you can mold a guy that's played that much, right, DK, in that short of time? Because his issues kept coming up."

Being compared to Tim Tebow at the college level is some of the highest praise that can be given, but when it's the comparison made when you're in the NFL it holds a very different connotation. Tebow put together one of the most impressive college careers ever, leading the Florida Gators to a 48-7 record in his 55 games for the team. Not only did he throw for 88 touchdowns, Tebow also rushed for another 55 scores.

However, when Tebow got to the NFL, it was hardly the victorious experience he was used to at Florida. Pickett may not have had the glistening career as a member of the Panthers, but he played a great deal of college football, and that was supposed to translate into success. After 25 NFL games, Pickett managed 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 14-11 record that was primarily propped up by exceptional defense and fourth-quarter comebacks.

After spending a 2022 first-round pick on Pickett, the Steelers ended up swapping 2024 fourth-round picks with the Eagles and getting two 2025 seventh-round picks in exchange for Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick. Hardly the kind of return one would expect from a former first-round quarterback, but in two years as an NFL starter, Pickett proved that was exactly what he was worth.

Steelers' New Quarterback Room Is Ready

Wilson is the likely starter for the Steelers' heading into 2024 training camp. However, that doesn't mean things won't change if former Chicago Bears' quarterback Justin Fields blows the Pittsburgh staff away. Either way, the Steelers should feel much more confident moving forward with the quarterback group they have.

Taking nothing away from the exceptional run to finish the 2023 season by Mason Rudolph, but the Steelers have made moves that show they want success rather than hoping things will work out. With a quarterback room that consisted of Pickett, Rudolph, and Mitch Trubisky, things were hardly looking stellar for the 2024 competition. However, with Wilson and Fields, plus whoever else the Steelers bring in, there are multiple options for Pittsburgh to put themselves in a position to succeed.

Backed by one of the most expensive defenses in the NFL, whoever starts for the Steelers in 2024 won't need to do it all by themselves. George Pickens is eager to show that he can be a full-time starting NFL receiver, the tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren wants to continue their momentum from late 2023, and the offensive line should only get better via the 2024 NFL Draft. With a low-cost, high-reward quarterback duo, the Steelers have good reason to be hopeful for 2024 and beyond.

What will the 2024 Steelers' final record be? Will it be enough for the 2024 playoffs? 

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