Kenny Pickett to Start for Steelers vs. Bills

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to move forward with Kenny Pickett as their starting quarterback for Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills, Steelers Now has confirmed.


Head coach Mike Tomlin was noncommittal when asked about his future starting quarterback on Sunday. Tomlin made the switch at halftime of that game from Mitch Trubisky to Pickett.

The young quarterback ran for two touchdowns in the second half, but also threw three interceptions as the Steelers re-took, but then lost the lead in the game.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that Pickett will be the quarterback “moving forward,” though a Steelers Now team source could not confirm whether a decision has been made beyond Sunday’s game. After Buffalo, the Steelers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and on the road against the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles before their Week 8 bye.

Pickett completed 10 of 13 passes (76.9%) for 120 yards (9.2 yards per attempt), no touchdowns and three interceptions for a 65.1 passer rating. He also ran six time for 15 yards and two touchdowns.

In 3.5 games as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, Trubisky completed 59.5% of his passes, averaged 5.6 yards per attempt, and had a 73.7 passer rating.

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.