After 687 days since his draft, Kenny Pickett, acclaimed for breaking Dan Marino’s college records, departs as the No. 20 pick. Amid Russell Wilson’s arrival, Pittsburgh Steelers maintain their traditional ethos, acknowledging organizational misjudgments.
Pickett, constrained by a talent level below his draft pick, and hindered by tardy decision-makers, voiced dissatisfaction with Wilson’s signing, prompting a trade request. This marked the conclusion of an era, perceived by some as ill-conceived from the outset.
The crux of the issue, however, lies not with Pickett but with the organization’s failure to establish a clear succession plan for Ben Roethlisberger.
In their pursuit of past glories, the Steelers neglected to adequately prepare for the future, opting instead to rectify past mistakes and cling to former wins.
Now, two years post-Roethlisberger’s retirement, the team finds itself precisely where it sought to avoid: almost back to square one.
The signing of Wilson, which prompted Pickett’s journey across the Commonwealth, prevents the Steelers from completely starting anew.
While at 35, Wilson’s prime may be behind him, he remains a capable bridge quarterback, notably after a season where he tallied 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
In a recent news conference, he expressed feeling rejuvenated, stating,
“I felt like myself again.”
The Steelers arguably should’ve made a move like this two years ago to avoid reaching for a quarterback in a historically subpar draft class. They nearly did, signing Mitch Trubisky to a modest two-year contract, only to undercut him by drafting Pickett less than two months later.
However, this situation could have been avoided if the Steelers had invested significant draft capital in the quarterback position earlier. Instead, they drafted Mason Rudolph with a third-round pick in 2018.
Despite Roethlisberger’s disapproval of Rudolph’s selection, the team didn’t use another pick on a quarterback until Roethlisberger retired after a wild-card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 16, 2022.
While Roethlisberger returned from elbow surgery for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, it was evident that his time was limited.
The team largely allowed Roethlisberger to dictate the conclusion of his career. Upon his retirement, the roster boasted two quarterbacks: Rudolph and former first-rounder Dwayne Haskins.
Trubisky was signed in March 2022, yet tragedy struck when Haskins, showing promise with a fresh start, passed away a month later.
The scenario could have unfolded differently had the Steelers drafted another quarterback that year.
Trubisky could have served as the starter for a season while a rookie developed behind the scenes, eventually assuming the reins in their second year—similar to Patrick Mahomes’ apprenticeship behind Alex Smith.
However, investing a valuable first-round pick in the local hero, Pickett, left Trubisky with slim chances.
The chants for Pickett resonated from the onset of training camp at St. Vincent College. Just four weeks into the season, Tomlin made the pivotal decision to bench Trubisky in favor of Pickett at halftime, igniting the rookie’s tenure as a starting quarterback.
Pickett showcased flashes of brilliance in his debut season, orchestrating three fourth-quarter comebacks and displaying qualities of resilience and leadership that hinted at a potential breakthrough for the Steelers.
However, the promising preseason turned out to be fleeting, and Pickett’s magic dwindled. His tenure with the Steelers concluded with him relegated to the bench while Rudolph assumed the starting role in a playoff game.
Amidst the aftermath of the Pickett saga, the Steelers find themselves presented with the opportunity to rebuild a more resilient future.
With Pickett’s departure, the Steelers are unshackled from the burden of a first-round quarterback who failed to meet expectations. The looming pressure of a fifth-year option decision, due in May 2025, no longer weighs on the franchise.
Now, the team boasts only one quarterback on the roster, who spent time relishing in mentoring younger teammates and aiding Jarrett Stidham, his potential successor in Denver, as he prepared for his inaugural start with the Broncos.
Additionally, a former first-round quarterback looms on the trade market, poised to benefit from a year under the tutelage of a seasoned professional and Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
By trading Pickett, the Steelers have paved the way for a potential acquisition of Chicago Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields, a prospect that once seemed improbable while the organization, most recently under general manager Omar Khan, expressed unwavering faith in their homegrown quarterback.
Pickett’s departure removes the veils of pretense, affording the Steelers an opportunity to forge a clear path forward untethered by the weight of the past.
In the two years since assuming control post-2022 draft, Khan has demonstrated a willingness to deviate from Steelers traditions through notable free agent signings and deadline trades.
Despite recently expressing faith in Pickett’s abilities in Indianapolis, Khan also emphasized the importance of fostering strong competition within the quarterback position.
While he entertained questions about potential free agent signings or impactful trades, Khan remained resolute in his commitment to exploring all avenues to enhance the team’s performance. Friday marked the initial stride in this direction.
