Kenny Pickett Says He’ll Play in Steelers First Preseason Game

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Kenny Pickett will suit up for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the team’s first preseason game of the 2023 season this Friday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Pickett said after the team’s training camp practice at St. Vincent College on Tuesday.

He said he does not know how long he will play.

“I’m on go,” Pickett said. “I’ll be in there for however long they want me to be. When they pull me, they’ll pull me out. I’m excited to play.”

Last season, then-starter Mitchell Trubisky played the first two offensive series for the Steelers in the preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. He was followed by Mason Rudolph, who got the final three drives of the first half. Pickett, then third on the depth chart, played the entire second half.

The trend around the NFL has been for starters to play fewer snaps than ever in recent years, which was part of the reason the league reduced the preseason schedule from four games to three.

The Steelers have traditionally played their starters more than most teams. Last season, Trubisky played three drives in the second preseason game and the entire first half of the finale.

So if Mike Tomlin and company hold true to form, Pickett will see his playing time increase over the course of the three preseason weeks.

After visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Friday, the Steelers will host the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 19 and then wrap up the preseason with a trip to play the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 24. Full Steelers 2023 schedule.

FINAL WORD: How Much Kenny Pickett in Preseason?