PITTSBURGH — The Kenny Pickett era has started for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickett, the team’s first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, replaced Mitch Trubisky at halftime of the Steelers Week 4 home game against the New York Jets.
Pickett entered the game with the Steelers trailing 10-6, and though his first pass was a misstep intercepted by Jordan Whitehead, his defense got him back on track and he used his legs and his arm to will the Steelers back into the lead.
Minkah Fitzpatrick answered Whitehead’s pick with one of his own, setting Pickett and the Steelers offense up at the 4-yard line. Pickett capped the short scoring drive with a 1-yard sneak for his first career touchdown.
Kenny Pickett sneaks in for the TD! @Steelers lead 13-10.
?: #NYJvsPIT on CBS
?: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/95ssqnYCaC pic.twitter.com/a5lLIUXPUh— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2022
On the following Steelers possession, Pickett showed off his full package of abilities. He rolled left and threw to Pat Freiermuth for a 14-yard gain on the first play. Later in the drive, he converted a 3rd and 6 with a 7-yard scramble. He threw to Pickens for 13-yards down the left sideline to convert another first down.
With the Steelers facing 3rd and 8 at the Jets 20, Pickett stood in the pocket and took a vicious hit from Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, but got the ball out to Freiermuth to set the team up for a 1st and goal at the 2-yard line. Pickett scored again, bowling over C.J. Mosley at the goal line to make it 20-10 Pittsburgh.
Another TD for @kennypickett10 ?
? #NYJvsPIT on CBS pic.twitter.com/SgWN3XETJr
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 2, 2022
And while Pickett showed some promise early, the Jets had the last laugh in this one, making a late comeback and winning, 24-20 in hostile territory.
Pickett finished 10-for-13 for 120 yards and three interceptions.
Trubisky, meanwhile, was 7 of 13 for 84 yards with one interception and a 41.8 passer rating in the first half of the game. In his first three games, Trubisky was 62 of 103 (60.2%) for 103 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
A five-year starter at Pitt, Pickett was touted as an NFL-ready draft prospect when the Steelers made him the first quarterback taken with the No. 20 overall selection this April.
Pickett started the season as the third quarterback in the Steelers rotation, but passed veteran backup Mason Rudolph in the preseason and usurped Trubisky after three and a half games. He was 29 of 36 for 271 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the 2022 NFL preseason.