Pat Narduzzi Congratulates Former Pitt QB Kenny Pickett on NFL Debut

Pitt Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi thinks Kenny Pickett will keep getting better with time.

PITTSBURGH -- These days, Pat Narduzzi's weekends don't allow him much time to watch football games his Pitt Panthers didn't play. Even in the 24 hours after his team has taken and left the field, Narduzzi returns to the practice facility to breakdown film and begin preparations for the next opponent. 

That meant that when former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett took the field at Acrisure Stadium for his first regular season action as a Pittsburgh Steeler, Narduzzi wasn't around to watch it live. 

"I got a text from my family in the middle of the day," Narduzzi said. "I'm seeing all those Steeler emojis and flags. Fans were going nuts, all that stuff."

Narduzzi said he didn't get home until well after the end of the game, but luckily his kids had recorded it. So instead of taking heading to bed early, Narduzzi watched the second half of the Steelers' 24-20 loss to the Jets. 

"I got home at about 11, 11:15 last night. As soon as I got home, my kids were like, ‘Dad, do you want to watch it? We DVRed it.'" Narduzzi said. "I went home and stayed up a little bit longer. Usually when I go home, I pass out."

Pickett completed 10 of 13 passes for 120 yards and three interceptions. He added six carries for 15 yards and a pair of touchdowns while leading the Steelers back from down four to up 10 before throwing an untimely pick late in the fourth quarter that set up New York's game-winning score. 

Narduzzi was able to talk with Pickett and his dad over text in the aftermath. He congratulated the two and wished them the best as Pickett enters a second installment of the Steelers quarterback competition. 

"Actually had text exchanges with Kenny last night and his dad," Narduzzi said. "Was happy for him. I think he's only going to get better with reps, yeah. Happy for Kenny and the family. See how it goes."

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