After slamming Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett instantly following the crew’s 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans Thursday evening, FOX Sports activities’ Colin Cowherd went again for seconds throughout his Friday radio present. Providing comparable commentary, Cowherd doubled down that Pickett isn’t the way forward for the Steelers’ franchise and reiterated his declare Pittsburgh solely drafted him as a result of he was native.
“No person thinks Kenny Pickett’s acquired the arm, the juice, the ‘it.’” Cowherd stated. “No person as a result of he doesn’t. He was a third-round choose. They reached on as a result of they had been determined at quarterback as a result of Massive Ben scared them each time they thought of drafting his inheritor obvious. And they also’re left with a pleasant child, a neighborhood child, who’s a B-minus at principally every part.”
Pickett but once more didn’t put up huge numbers within the Titans win, throwing for 160 yards on 30 makes an attempt. He notably struggled within the first half, lacking a number of throws that may’ve gone for first downs or touchdowns. However as he’s grow to be recognized for, Pickett discovered his groove within the fourth quarter, main the Steelers to a different comeback victory. He threw the game-winning landing cross to WR Diontae Johnson, arrange by a stupendous throw down the fitting sideline to Johnson on third down. Pickett would’ve had a second landing toss had WR George Pickens gotten his left foot inbounds. By some means, he didn’t, and the cross was incomplete.
As for the Ben Roethlisberger remark, the Steelers opted to not discover his true alternative till after he retired. Cowherd is referring to the crew drafting QB Mason Rudolph within the third spherical of the 2018 draft, resulting in feedback from Roethlisberger that made it clear he wasn’t thrilled in regards to the choose.
“I used to be stunned once they took a quarterback as a result of I assumed that possibly within the third spherical, you recognize you may get some actually good soccer gamers that may assist this crew now,” Roethlisberger stated by way of ESPN on the time. “Nothing in opposition to Mason; I believe he’s an excellent soccer participant. I don’t know him personally, however I’m certain he’s an excellent child. I simply don’t know the way backing up or being a 3rd [string] — nicely, who is aware of the place he’s going to fall on the depth chart — helps us win now.”
That was the best choose they used on a quarterback till Roethlisberger hung up his cleats earlier than deciding on Pickett in 2022. Rudolph by no means grew to become his alternative and is at present the Steelers’ third-string quarterback, not taking a regular-season snap since 2021. There could also be some reality to Cowherd’s level, however Pittsburgh had an all-in mentality with Roethlisberger and it’s widespread for groups to attend till after their star quarterback has left to search out his inheritor (Mac Jones for Tom Brady, Andrew Luck for Peyton Manning, and so on.). And groups who’ve drafted a attainable alternative early haven’t all the time gotten it proper. Jimmy Garoppolo for Tom Brady, Jordan Love for Aaron Rodgers, and so on. Typically choosing within the center or late first spherical, it’s not just like the Steelers had been routinely in place to take a prime arm.
On the deserves of his Pickett feedback, Cowherd’s factors aren’t utterly unfounded. Now having began 20 video games, Pickett has struggled to have constant “wow” moments. Moreover his fourth-quarter success, there’s no apparent defining trait of his recreation. He’s led some nice drives however lacks a real breakout efficiency.
Most quarterbacks who grow to be long-term pillars of a franchise present that by now. Sunday, Houston Texans’ rookie C.J. Stroud had a masterful efficiency, throwing 5 touchdowns to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 39-37 in a shootout. It included a game-winning drive with lower than a minute to go, marching down the sector and hitting fellow rookie WR Tank Dell for a landing. Stroud and the Texans have had their faults. Heck, they misplaced to the Carolina Panthers. However there’s greater than sufficient performs to know Stroud goes to be a quarterback of the longer term and some of the correct and greatest contact throwers in soccer.
“They’re going to delude themselves into considering they’ve the man,” Cowherd stated of the Steelers.
Making conclusions in the midst of the season is silly and there’s nonetheless greater than half of Pickett’s 12 months to go. And it’s uncertain the Steelers will do something however run Pickett again as their beginning quarterback in 2023. However in a aggressive AFC with so many off-the-charts-good quarterbacks, established veterans and rising studs, the Steelers could possibly be at a drawback. Even probably the most beneficiant quarterback rating locations Pickett behind (in no order): Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, Houston’s C.J. Stroud, Kansas Metropolis’s Patrick Mahomes, and Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert.
That’s eight quarterbacks forward with a number of extra to argue and none of these names are going wherever anytime quickly. If Pickett can’t put himself close to that tier of quarterback, then the Steelers must construct an unbelievable roster round him. A a lot larger problem.
