Kenny Pickett addresses the feelings of being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett is right at home with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although most rookies have to move to a new city — if not state — to start their NFL careers, Pickett is staying in his backyard.
After spending the past five seasons playing at Heinz Field with the Pitt Panthers, the quarterback was taken 20th overall by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft. His familiarity with the stadium and area will hopefully help ease him into his pro career, and it’s an opportunity that he doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s really special,” Pickett said in his introductory press conference. “I have a lot of friendships and I know a lot of people here obviously from playing at Pitt and being here for five years. The fact that I’m starting my pro career here is really special and I’m gonna be looking forward to building new relationships with everybody in the city.”
Pickett is coming off of a spectacular senior season in which he threw for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He helped lead the Panthers to an 11-3 finish this past season, including an appearance in the Peach Bowl against Michigan State.
Despite the success, his connections to the city and his conversations with the Steelers, Pickett still wasn’t certain the franchise planned to draft him. Many experts had Pittsburgh taking Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, who ultimately went in the third round to the Tennessee Titans.
“Going through the process, you really don’t know to be honest,” Pickett said. “You hear a lot of different things. I just wanted to put my best foot forward in any situation I was in and I feel like I did that. I’m incredibly happy that I’m gonna be here.”
Many fans around the league believe Kenny Pickett to be the future of Pittsburgh following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, but he may not start right away. He finds himself in a competition with returning backup Mason Rudolph as well as free agent addition Mitchell Trubisky. He’ll have to prove himself in training camp against those two if he hopes to begin this season as the starter.
But whatever happens, the rookie takes solace in the fact that he can remain in Pittsburgh to begin his NFL journey close to friends.
“There’s comfort, but obviously there’s a job at hand and I know what I have to do and how to go about my business,” Pickett said. “I’m really excited to be here. That first game back at Heinz Field, instead of being blue and gold, it’ll be black and gold. I’m really excited for that.”