Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett addresses Dan Marino comparisons

After Pittsburgh Panthers star quarterback Kenny Pickett came off the board in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, analysts jumped to compare him to another former Pitt first-rounder – Dan Marino. Pickett, however, was quick to tamp down the comparisons to the eight-time All-Pro.

Like with Pickett, the Steelers had the opportunity to draft Marino when he hit the draft in 1983. The former Panthers legend slid in the draft and ended up with the Miami Dolphins.

“It’s special and I’m glad they didn’t pass on me,” Pickett said in his introductory press conference. “I’ve talked to Dan a bunch. I’m going to continue to talk to him and use him as a resource.”

The first-round rookie has shared that Marino’s influence was big on him in his time at Pitt.

“He’s a Pitt legend,” Pickett also said in February. “He’s a guy that when I showed up to Pitt, his name was on the wall, his picture was on the wall. My first recruiting trip to Pitt, they had a booth that was all Marino, with all of his gear when he was at Pitt and I have a picture with it. My Dad sent it to me near the end of the season.”

Kenny Pickett is coming off of a spectacular senior season in which he threw for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He’s excited to be staying close to his former program to play for the Steelers.

“It’s really special,” Pickett said. “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 shares thoughts on being only first-round QB

After Pickett, another quarterback did not come off the board until the end of Day Two. Desmond Ridder heard his name in the third round, which made for an intriguing storyline.

After earning the prestigious honor, Kenny Pickett provided his thoughts on the way other quarterbacks slid.

“To be honest with you, all those guys are friends of mine and I’ve spent a lot of time with them,” Pickett said at his introductory press conference. “No matter where they end up, it’s just all about what you do when you get here. So that’s what I’m excited about now. I finally have a new home and I’m excited to get to work. And everyone will be successful if they work hard.”

The other quarterbacks in the class who previously got first-round talk – Ridder, Malik Willis, Matt Corral, Sam Howell and Carson Strong – can all now focus on making the most of the situation. They’ll come in and try to become the next non-first-round star like Russell Wilson or Tom Brady.