Why the Steelers Should Not Start Kenny Pickett in Week 1

When Kevin Colbert and the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kenny Pickett with the 20^th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, it was clear that the team’s future rides on his shoulders. While some across Steeler Nation are reveling, others don’t feel as optimistic. No matter the opinions, the simple fact is that Pickett is Steeler. What has transpired since then is a much more interesting and deeper topic of conversation – who should be the starting quarterback for the Steelers when the regular season begins?

The answer? It should be Mitch Trubisky – and it’s not close.

Mitchell Trubisky practices during voluntary workouts in Pittsburgh / Steelers.com

What Pickett Lacks

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the former second overall pick and Pro Bowl selection, Trubisky should take the starting snaps in Week 1. He already has what Pickett does not, experience in the league and winning professional football games, starting in 50 of the 57 games he’s played. He is most known for his time with the Chicago Bears where he recorded over 10,000 passing yards, 64 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. He also showed his potential to make plays with his feet, recording 1,057 rushing yards on and eight touchdowns. He even led the Bears to the playoffs in 2019 and 2020.

To that same note, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has already expressed his appreciation of Trubisky this offseason and may lean with the experienced hand.

“He’s young and experienced, he’s won to be quite honest with you, he’s probably won more than anybody else who was kind of in the field… so there’s a lot of things about him that’s attractive to us,” said Tomlin.

Return on Investment

The Steelers and Trubisky came to terms on a two-year contract worth just over $14 million and are obligated to pay him $5,252,000 in guaranteed money and up to $27 million in incentives, per Tom Pelissero. It’s not the biggest deal by any means, but it’s still money the team will have to pay. As of today, Pickett has not signed his rookie contract, but is projected to be somewhere in the $16 million range, per overthecap.com – a number that will be spread out over his four-year rookie deal.

What If….

Let’s have some fun and open the hypothetical can of worms and say Tomlin gives Pickett the Week 1 nod – and for sake of argument – let’s say Pickett does not perform well. As a rookie, that can be detrimental to his confidence, and even worse, limit his growth because he’ll most likely find himself relegated to the bench. On the contrary, if he performs well, Tomlin would have a quarterback conundrum. And as the old saying goes, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterback”.

The Pickett-lovers out there are rooting for him all the way, and don’t get us wrong, we are too. Now just isn’t the time to roll him out. A conservative approach is the best scenario to give him ample time to adjust to Matt Canada’s offensive schemes and to give Trubisky a run for his money – literally – during OTAs and mini-camp.

“It’s going to be fierce,” said Tomlin on The Rich Eisen Show in regards to the brewing competition between Trubisky and Pickett this offseason.

“I’m excited about watching these guys compete… it’s going to be challenging, but it’s going to be a good challenge, but I’m just excited to watch these guys perform,” Tomlin adds.

Oct 6, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges (6) scrambles with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at Heinz Field in his professional debut. The Ravens won in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The last time a rookie quarterback made his professional debut with the Steelers was Devlin "Duck" Hodges in 2019 against the Baltimore Ravens following an injury to Mason Rudolph.

What do yinz think? Should Tomlin roll out the rookie in Week 1? If not, when do you think he should make his NFL debut? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below!

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