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Kenny Pickett Should Start Right Away As A Rookie For The Steelers

Trey Daubert / NFL / August 22, 2022

Kenny Pickett Should Start Right Away As A Rookie For The Steelers

The kid is ready. In no way shape or form am I suggesting that preseason defines the career of an NFL player. However, I do think you can learn things too. Both sides of the argument are valid. If there is anything that we have learned from the preseason, it’s that the Steelers shouldn’t waste any time and just start Kenny Pickett Week 1 when they open the 2022-23 NFL season.

I am very much on the side of sitting young quarterbacks when you draft them. If they’re not ready, don’t pretend they’re just going to figure it out on the fly. Some guys just take longer to develop and throwing them into the fire can be a detriment if they’re not groomed in the right situation.

When it comes to Pickett, I’m just not sure there is an argument. What are we doing if the first round pick out of the University of Pittsburgh isn’t suiting up for the Steelers week one? We’re talking about Pickett who had 52 college starts and 1,678 attempts. He’s also 24. If that guy isn’t ready as a first round pick then we’re wasting our time. Let’s find out if he can play.

By all accounts, the eye test tells you he can. Pickett has had a strong preseason going 13/15 for 95 yards and two touchdowns. That was followed up by a 6/7 for 76 yards and a score against Jacksonville. Read the reports. Follow the practice footage. Pickett is the Steelers’ best quarterback and it’s not close.

There is no time to wait. Starting Mitch Trubisky is not an option. It can never be an option. Otherwise you’re looking at a nice cookout with the rest of the losers in last place. Do you want that? With Trubisky, I have no chance. Did all of you forget that I’m the only one that’s ever been right about Trubisky? Don’t argue.

With Pickett, you’re in the mix for the AFC North. The mobility is there. The touch and accuracy is there. Makes good decisions with the football. I come to the party with Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and Najee Harris in a weapons league. How do you not like their chances? Especially with that defense and the fact that Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season.

Mitch Trubisky guarantees you a losing season. You’re bringing a water pistol to a gun fight. The AFC North is a brawl every single week. The Browns roster is stacked. The Ravens will be better even if I don’t like all of their choices. Just having JK Dobbins healthy will be enough to be an annoyance in the division. Oh, and Cincinnati is better than ever and just went to the Super Bowl.

There is no time to waste. You have to put your best players on the field. You HAVE to find out if Kenny Pickett is the guy. While I don’t think he will ever be a top tier talent, I did have him ranked first in the class for a reason. If you don’t start Kenny Pickett Week 1 you have to look your fan base in the mirror and acknowledge you gave away games because the guy you picked in the first round wasn’t good enough. I would never.