Former Pitt QB Entering Massive Year With Steelers

Former Pitt Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett is facing a pivotal season with the Steelers.

PITTSBURGH -- One of the biggest questions facing the Pittsburgh Steelers as they transition into the offseason is the state of their quarterback room and what to do with former Pitt Panther Kenny Pickett, who's started most of the games he's been healthy for during his short time in the NFL. 

Pickett, the Steelers' 2022 first-round pick out of Pitt, is facing a pivotal season, according to head coach Mike Tomlin and where his career moves will be determined in large part by what he does in 2024. 

"Certainly it's a big year for him," Tomlin said. "We actually met this morning and acknowledged that. It is a huge year for him. But I'm also excited about watching him wear that component because I know how he's wired and built."

Pickett was unseated as the starting quarterback during the final four games of the regular season. Pickett suffered an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for more than a month and, even when he was finally healthy again, the Steelers opted to ride the hot hand of Mason Rudolph, who led the team to three straight wins and a surprise playoff berth. 

Tomlin said he doesn't necessarily know at this point where that competition will come from. Rudolph played well down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs but is scheduled to hit free agency this offseason. If he is not in the mix in 2024, one could expect the Steelers to bring in more quarterbacks through the draft or free agency. 

"He will, but obviously there will be competition but there's always competition in this thing," Tomlin said. "We don't anoint anyone. Man, I'm appreciative of his efforts and where he is and excited about continuing to work with him but certainly he will be challenged from a competition standpoint."

He added that this is a significant point in Pickett's career. He has confidence in the former first-round pick's abilities as a player and leader and will keep him as the unofficial "QB1" during the offseason, but year three in the NFL is when the organization will begin to expect more tangible results on the field.

"I'm extremely confident in him," Tomlin said. "I'm even more confident about some of the intangible things than I did obviously when we started doing business with him because I have evidence of it. He's highly competitive and professional. He doesn't run from challenges, he runs to challenges and I think that's evident in the way he plays, particularly ad the end of close football games. He's got good framework to work with and for a young guy, he's mature beyond his years." 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

ACC Proposes Significant Legal Action Against Florida State

Former Pitt DB Transfers to Youngstown State

Former Pitt QB Fired From Browns

Pitt Needs Change in Backcourt

Pitt G Jaland Lowe Enjoys Career Night

Cold Shooting Leads Pitt to Loss Against Syracuse

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt