Steelers make it official: Kenny Pickett is Pittsburgh's starting quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers made it official Tuesday. Kenny Pickett is the new starting quarterback.

The Steelers released their depth chart for their Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday, listing Pickett ahead of Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Pickett made his season debut on Sunday against the New York Jets after Trubisky got benched, and he completed 10 of 13 passes for 120 yards, but threw three interceptions.

Mike Tomlin also commented on the decision shortly after the Steelers made the announcement, saying Trubisky’s rough start vs. the Jets — 7-of-13 passing, 84 yards and an interception — played a role in the move. However, he made it clear that wasn’t the only reason he made the change.

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“That’s not fair to him,” Tomlin said, via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. “He’s played better than that description but we haven’t.”

Pittsburgh drafted Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft after a standout career at Pitt, helping the Panthers to an ACC title in 2021. He put together a strong preseason, but coach Mike Tomlin opted to go with Trubisky as the starting quarterback after he signed a two-year deal over the offseason.

After the 24-20 loss to the Jets on Sunday, Mike Tomlin addressed playing both over the course of the game and what it may mean for next week. Tomlin said inserting Pickett was his idea because the team ‘needed a spark’ on offense.

“We did what we needed to do to put ourselves in position to win this game. We’ll do it again,” said Tomlin. “I’d like to just keep it where we are in terms of what transpired here today. We’ll deal with next week next week.”

Trubisky has been the starter during the first four weeks. He put up 485 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception on 60.5% completion through three weeks. In Week 4’s game, though, Trubisky completed just 53.9% of his passes for 84 yards and an interception. That’s what led to Pickett’s insertion to start the second half.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report.