Steelers Daily News & Links: Kenny Pickett Has Dreadful Performance; Mel Blount Visits Practice

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback throws a pass at practice on Dec. 19, 2023. -- Ed Thomson / Steelers Now

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? Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett had a rough performance against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. He completed 11 of 13 passes but for only 67 yards. He also was sacked four times.

Tanner McKee was 15-for-19 for 140 yards against New England and showed some impressive poise on a few throws tonight with traffic around him. Pickett could be in jeopardy of losing the No. 2 QB spot in Philly.

? In 24 Kenny Pickett starts, he led the Steelers to more than 20 points just six times. The Steelers still managed a 14-10 record in those games.

? Steelers legend Mel Blount was at the Steelers-Bills joint practice on Thursday.

“When Mr. Mel is in the house, all is good,” Tomlin wrote on X.

? Mitch Trubisky, who’s now the backup quarterback in Buffalo, reflected on his time in Pittsburgh after Thursday’s joint practice

“It was a good two years. I think I learned a lot. It was tough for me personally, but I don’t have any hard feelings about it whatsoever. That’s just part of this journey. Sometimes, you’re going to have ups and downs.”

? Mitch Trubisky still has a three-way group chat with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph.

“I talk to them every week. They actually asked me how Pittsburgh was. I thought they had my location for a second. As soon as I landed, it was, like, ‘How’s Pittsburgh treating you?’ I was like, ‘Yo, you guys gotta chill.’ But they’re doing good. We stay in contact. We’ve got a great relationship.”

? Former NFL general manager and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannebaum would go with Justin Fields if the competition is close with Russell Wilson. So far, Wilson hasn’t done anything to lose his QB1 status.

“If it’s close, I would go with Justin FIelds because he is 10 years younger,” Tannenbaum said.

? Former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor threw out the first pitch at the Altoona Curve game.

? The Bills thanked the Steelers on X for hosting the joint practice. The Steelers and Bills have a close relationship due to Mike Tomlin and Sean McDermott’s connection, which dates back to when they were teammates at William & Mary.

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