Hall of Famer pumps the brakes on N.J.’s Kenny Pickett as Steelers’ starting QB

Hall of famer Bill Cowher does not believe Kenny Pickett should start at quarterback this year.
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Not everyone thinks it’s Kenny Pickett time just yet.

Since Pickett was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft, there has been speculation over whether the first-round pick from Oakhurst, N.J. would get an opportunity to start.

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However, not everyone thinks he is quite ready.

Hall of Famer and former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is among that crowd.

Here’s his take, via The33rdteam.com:

There is no denying that Mason Rudolph has the most experience in Canada’s system. Ideally, he, or veteran Mitchell Trubisky wins the job. They understand the grind of the season, the preparation that is required to succeed, the different looks they’ll get from defenses. I think first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett will be very good in the long run, but ideally, you bring him along slowly and confidently.

Pickett starred at Ocean Township High School and finished third in voting for the 2021 Heisman Trophy Award. He was the first New Jersey native to be a finalist for the Heisman since former Michigan star and current New York Giants defensive back Jabrill Peppers in 2016. Pickett had been hoping to be the fourth N.J. high school football product to earn the Heisman Trophy and the first since 1999, when it went to Overbrook product Ron Dayne, a running back at Wisconsin who went on to a career with the Giants.

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The 24-year-old Pickett returned to Pittsburgh for a fifth season in 2021, taking advantage of the NCAA’s eligibility give-back for playing through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and had a record-breaking year. Pickett passed for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns to eclipse school marks and led the Panthers to their first Atlantic Coast Conference title.

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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.

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