Oh No: Kenny Pickett Throws INT With First Career Pass
Kenny Pickett entered the game at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers –– and promptly threw an interception.
Pickett, the Steelers’ first-round draft pick in 2022, replaced starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky to open the second half of his team’s home tilt against the Jets Sunday.
And at first… it looked OK!
Pickett leaned on running back Najee Harris early and converted the Steelers’ first fourth down of the year on a quarterback sneak.
The Steelers were driving down the field when they dialed up the long ball for Pickett.
It was his first career passing attempt. And it was terrible.
Jordan Whitehead comes down with the INT on the Kenny Pickett deep ball
?: https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYJvsPIT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#NYJvsPIT
on CBS
?: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/95ssqnYCaC pic.twitter.com/vZzjnIQ6BJ— NFL (@NFL) https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1576648449268719616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October
2, 2022
Kudos to offensive coordinator Matt Canada for trusting his rookie quarterback. The Steelers did need a spark. They did need an explosive play.
But they didn’t need a turnover.
Unfortunately, Pickett underthrew the ball, and while Chase Claypool tried to adjust, it wasn’t enough.
That was easy work for Jets safety Jordan Whitehead.
It’s not the best way for Pickett to start his NFL career, but it’s also not the end of the world. You like to see him take a shot, and you like to see some confidence early.
That just wasn’t exactly how you draw it up.
Minkah Fitzpatrick has his new quarterback’s … uhh … back, though.
The Steelers’ star safety Fitzpatrick intercepted a Zach Wilson pass on the ensuing possession, nearly taking it to the house in the process.
Pickett entered the game with the ball on the 4-yard line from there with his team trailing, 10-6.
….and he totally redeemed himself with a third-down quarterback sneak to punch it in and give his team the lead.
Kenny Pickett sneaks in for the TD! https://twitter.com/steelers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Steelers
lead 13-10.
?: https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYJvsPIT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#NYJvsPIT
on CBS
?: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/95ssqnYCaC pic.twitter.com/a5lLIUXPUh— NFL (@NFL) https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1576650779061993473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October
2, 2022
Not bad, young man. That’s how you bounce back.
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