Did the Steelers Screw Up with Kenny Pickett?

[EzraTank]

And here we are 90 posts into this in January 2025 and the Steelers are no better off at QB then they were this time last year. Russel Wilson clearly isn't the future, KP clearly wasn't the future and Justin Fields ... meh, maybe but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

So again Coach .501 will lose in the first round, and then what? Rinse and repeat? Try to actually find a QB (good luck with that)? If Arthur Smith really wanted a QB that could hand the ball off and make a throw on 3rd and long why didn't we just sign Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield? At least Darnold and Mayfield are over 6 foot and can see over the linemen.

[Mojouw]

OK. I get that everyone is feeling all mopey and sad. But, buck up, buttercups!

Your team has handled this better than other franchises in comparable situations.

There has been no panic trade of multiple high draft picks for a draft prospect that never panned out (Niners and Trey Lance). Now, the Niners got saved from themselves here a bit by having Purdy hit....but think those draft picks might've helped ease all those injuries this season?

There has been no letting a flawed draft pick bring down the entire team and bottom out with a losing record and no plan like the Colts.

They have not handed the keys to the franchise over to an ego driven old QB and burned through coaches, draft picks, and other rostered players to make it work, only to have it explode in their faces like the Jets.

They don't owe an old washed up QB a dump truck full of guaranteed money like the Falcons and Cousins.

This team has all their draft picks. They have no guaranteed money tied to the QB position. They have an "in-house relationship" that appears to be highly positive with a young(ish) QB that if he makes it to FA would be the first or second ranked guy in the group and who is only 3 years older than most of the draft picks in the 2025 class. A class that if he was in, he would almost certainly be ranked at the top of. Is Fields a great option, probably not....but play it out that he ends up the 2025 starter.

Steelers keep Smith and sign Fields. Fields has all the same flaws and concerns that Tannehill had when he and Smith joined forces. That worked pretty well. IF That were to happen again, the Steelers are set at the QB position for 5 years. Of course, if that happens, someone is hiring Smith to be their head coach....but let us not borrow trouble.

The alternative(s) were to either try and jump ahead of someone like the Falcons and Broncos by offering either the Titans or the Jets multiple first round picks and likely some seconds and thirds. Imagine how you would feel if it cost 4 draft picks to end up with Penix to Nix? Penix has looked better than Cousins or Wilson, but he has not wowed from what I have seen. And I suspect that Nix is going to excel with Sean Payton, but outside of Sean Payton struggle.

The Steelers are lost in the QB wilderness and there is not a lot of great options out there in the wilds. They got 2 of the best for 2024. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. And for some context, the universally agreed upon "best option" (Cousins) stunk too. What happens for 2025? Who knows.

The best we can hope for is that the Steelers sign someone like Fields or even Wilson. And you have a Alex Smith on the Chiefs type situation. Good but not great. Wildcard round team or so. Then, you hide in the tall grass and scout the ever loving heck out of the next couple of QB classes. And when there is that guy that you think can be a star but others have questions about...you have Khan go get him.

Worst case....they bottom out and everyone gets fired.

[EzraTank]

The problem is this team wants to go back to 1990 and run the football first. The NFL of 2025 isn't that NFL. I'd rather build an offense that is made for passing plays and for Gods sake uses the middle of the field.

But Coach .501 won't let that happen.

[Steeler-in-west]

The Steelers could always move up in the draft. Even move TJ for the right Qb

[86WARD]

And here we are 90 posts into this in January 2025 and the Steelers are no better off at QB then they were this time last year. Russel Wilson clearly isn't the future, KP clearly wasn't the future and Justin Fields ... meh, maybe but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

So again Coach .501 will lose in the first round, and then what? Rinse and repeat? Try to actually find a QB (good luck with that)? If Arthur Smith really wanted a QB that could hand the ball off and make a throw on 3rd and long why didn't we just sign Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield? At least Darnold and Mayfield are over 6 foot and can see over the linemen.

At this moment they are better off at QB. Come a week or so, then they’ll be in a similar boat but still better off with the unknown than an overrated Kenny Pickett with poor leadership skills. The unknown is better than that.

Sam Darnold would not have been that good with the Steelers. I’m not sure why people like these shiny new toys that are just an old toy with new paint that will wash off with a new owner. Darnold isn’t good outside of O’Connells offense from what history says.

[pczach]

At this moment they are better off at QB. Come a week or so, then they’ll be in a similar boat but still better off with the unknown than an overrated Kenny Pickett with poor leadership skills. The unknown is better than that.

Sam Darnold would not have been that good with the Steelers. I’m not sure why people like these shiny new toys that are just an old toy with new paint that will wash off with a new owner. Darnold isn’t good outside of O’Connells offense from what history says.

Sometimes, it isn't the player. A coach's job is to put players in a position to succeed. Far too many coaches force quarterbacks into offenses that don't suit their strengths. Rather than adjusting the offense and personnel to take advantage of what a quarterback's strength is, they expect them to execute whatever offense they try to shoehorn them into and expect big results. On top of that, players are often trying to tell the coaches what they do well or would want in an offense, but the coaches don't want to hear that their "designs" aren't right.

At some point if you keep speaking up, you're considered a problem that just doesn't "get it". You don't have "it".

This doesn't mean that every quarterback has greatness within them. It means that far too many coaches are too rigid in how they approach things and don't tailor what they do to the talent they have. Sometimes, the coaching IS the problem. Any coach that isn't willing to adjust the offense to fit the talents of the quarterback are never going to get the best version of that player.

[86WARD]

Sometimes, it isn't the player. A coach's job is to put players in a position to succeed. Far too many coaches force quarterbacks into offenses that don't suit their strengths. Rather than adjusting the offense and personnel to take advantage of what a quarterback's strength is, they expect them to execute whatever offense they try to shoehorn them into and expect big results. On top of that, players are often trying to tell the coaches what they do well or would want in an offense, but the coaches don't want to hear that their "designs" aren't right.

At some point if you keep speaking up, you're considered a problem that just doesn't "get it". You don't have "it".

This doesn't mean that every quarterback has greatness within them. It means that far too many coaches are too rigid in how they approach things and don't tailor what they do to the talent they have. Sometimes, the coaching IS the problem. Any coach that isn't willing to adjust the offense to fit the talents of the quarterback are never going to get the best version of that player.

I won’t disagree with any of that.

But I do think Darnold has had many chances with many coaches and the only one who has unlocked anything of substance has been O’Connell.

[Born2Steel]

Be careful. Your post has too much common sense to be allowed on this board.

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KP wouldn't have started over Russ, Fields, or anybody else, because he was in Tomlin's doghouse. That's why he was justified in wanting to get the hell out of here.

Justified is not even remotely the question. Could KP beat Fields for the starting QB job in a legitimate open competition? If you don't think so, then we are better with Fields, so who cares. I think very few would take KP to win that competition. But off you honestly think he would, speak up.

[Voice of Reason]

At this moment they are better off at QB. Come a week or so, then they’ll be in a similar boat but still better off with the unknown than an overrated Kenny Pickett with poor leadership skills. The unknown is better than that.

I'll say it again, you're an idiot.

[Voice of Reason]

Justified is not even remotely the question. Could KP beat Fields for the starting QB job in a legitimate open competition? If you don't think so, then we are better with Fields, so who cares. I think very few would take KP to win that competition. But off you honestly think he would, speak up.

The answer to your question is dependent upon who is making the decision as to which QB beat out the other. I am not confident that Tomlin would make the correct decision, since he has screwed up every QB decision he has made since Ben retired. If the decision was made by some competent coach who actually knew how to evaluate quarterbacks I think that Kenny would probably win, but I can't say that for certain. The important point is, a legitimate competition like this between the two of them is the way it should have been done. And because of the incompetence of a certain head coach, it wasn't.

[Born2Steel]

The answer to your question is dependent upon who is making the decision as to which QB beat out the other. I am not confident that Tomlin would make the correct decision, since he has screwed up every QB decision he has made since Ben retired. If the decision was made by some competent coach who actually knew how to evaluate quarterbacks I think that Kenny would probably win, but I can't say that for certain. The important point is, a legitimate competition like this between the two of them is the way it should have been done. And because of the incompetence of a certain head coach, it wasn't.

Working around all of the extra words, you think KP would beat Fields in a head to head competition.

This is an interesting point of discussion. What is it you have seen KP do better than what you saw Fields do in his 6 games as the starter? From the games I watched, KP beats out Mitch and he beats out Mason. But from the games I watched, KP was not as good as Fields. One thing Kenny could do better is take snaps from under Center.

But it isn't really apples to apples is it? Different OL, different OC, different plays called. All in all considered, if I had to pick a starting QB between them this offseason, I would still go with Fields. Even with the missing information. What we do know puts Fields ahead of Kenny, IMO.

[EzraTank]

At this moment they are better off at QB. Come a week or so, then they’ll be in a similar boat but still better off with the unknown than an overrated Kenny Pickett with poor leadership skills. The unknown is better than that.

Sam Darnold would not have been that good with the Steelers. I’m not sure why people like these shiny new toys that are just an old toy with new paint that will wash off with a new owner. Darnold isn’t good outside of O’Connells offense from what history says.

And if you put Lamar Jackson in the Steelers offense he wouldn't be good either, but at least he would be better than the 35 year old Wilson running for his life as no one got open and the middle of the field closed for business.

[86WARD]

And if you put Lamar Jackson in the Steelers offense he wouldn't be good either, but at least he would be better than the 35 year old Wilson running for his life as no one got open and the middle of the field closed for business.

Jackson would be perfectly fine in Smiths offense.

Jackson and Darnold aren’t comparable.

[Voice of Reason]

OK. I get that everyone is feeling all mopey and sad. But, buck up, buttercups!

Your team has handled this better than other franchises in comparable situations.

There has been no panic trade of multiple high draft picks for a draft prospect that never panned out (Niners and Trey Lance). Now, the Niners got saved from themselves here a bit by having Purdy hit....but think those draft picks might've helped ease all those injuries this season?

There has been no letting a flawed draft pick bring down the entire team and bottom out with a losing record and no plan like the Colts.

They have not handed the keys to the franchise over to an ego driven old QB and burned through coaches, draft picks, and other rostered players to make it work, only to have it explode in their faces like the Jets.

They don't owe an old washed up QB a dump truck full of guaranteed money like the Falcons and Cousins.

This team has all their draft picks. They have no guaranteed money tied to the QB position.

Don't speak too soon. You don't know what they are going to do this offseason.

[Voice of Reason]

Working around all of the extra words, you think KP would beat Fields in a head to head competition.

This is an interesting point of discussion. What is it you have seen KP do better than what you saw Fields do in his 6 games as the starter? From the games I watched, KP beats out Mitch and he beats out Mason. But from the games I watched, KP was not as good as Fields. One thing Kenny could do better is take snaps from under Center.

But it isn't really apples to apples is it? Different OL, different OC, different plays called. All in all considered, if I had to pick a starting QB between them this offseason, I would still go with Fields. Even with the missing information. What we do know puts Fields ahead of Kenny, IMO.

I saw Kenny pass better, manage the game better, and perform in the clutch better than Fields. I saw Fields run better.

Kenny is never going to run better than Fields. Fields might (or might not) eventually learn how to manage the game and pass better than Kenny. Right now I'd go with Kenny.

[86WARD]

Kenny still battling for second string on the Eagles?

Here’s a look at their numbers this season:

Pickett: 25/42 (59.5%), 291 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 86.5 rating

McKee: 30/45 (66.7%), 323 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 117.2 rating

Eagles fans already hating on Kenny.

[Born2Steel]

Kenny still battling for second string on the Eagles?

Here’s a look at their numbers this season:

Pickett: 25/42 (59.5%), 291 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 86.5 rating

McKee: 30/45 (66.7%), 323 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 117.2 rating

Eagles fans already hating on Kenny.

Justin Fields 2024: 106/161 (65.8%), 1106 yards, 5 TDs, 1 Int, 104 rating

[86WARD]

Justin Fields 2024: 106/161 (65.8%), 1106 yards, 5 TDs, 1 Int, 104 rating

Still not as good as Kenny.

[Mojouw]

Don't speak too soon. You don't know what they are going to do this offseason.

You get the Oddball. You should listen to Sgt. Oddball.



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Still not as good as Kenny.

Did you know that when Kenny Pickett drops back to pass, the clouds part and a perfect ray of sunshine shines on him as you can hear an angelic choir sing. It is true.

[Voice of Reason]

Kenny still battling for second string on the Eagles?

Here’s a look at their numbers this season:

Pickett: 25/42 (59.5%), 291 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 86.5 rating

McKee: 30/45 (66.7%), 323 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 117.2 rating

Eagles fans already hating on Kenny.

In his first game filling in for Hurts, Kenny responsible for 26 points in 3 1/2 quarters. In his second game, Kenny responsible for 27 points in 2 1/2 quarters.

In his one full game for the Eagles, McKee responsible for 20 points in 4 quarters.

Extra fun fact: In that second game (which I watched), I didn't hear Philly fans boo Kenny a single time.

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Did you know that when Kenny Pickett drops back to pass, the clouds part and a perfect ray of sunshine shines on him as you can hear an angelic choir sing. It is true.

No, that only happens when Tomlin steps onto the sidelines.

[86WARD]

Did you know that when Kenny Pickett drops back to pass, the clouds part and a perfect ray of sunshine shines on him as you can hear an angelic choir sing. It is true.

Kenny still battling for second or has anything changed in Philadelphia? lol

[86WARD]

So much for the upside of Sam Darnold. Dude lost millions and millions of dollars these last two weeks.

People still want him as an option to replace Wilson?

[pczach]

So much for the upside of Sam Darnold. Dude lost millions and millions of dollars these last two weeks.

People still want him as an option to replace Wilson?

I'd rather have Matthew Stafford!

[hawaiiansteeler]

So fragile.

Such a dick thing to say, this comment has nothing to do with football or discussing the Steelers.

Just a personal insult, goes to show what an asshole you really are.

[Mojouw]

Such a dick thing to say, this comment has nothing to do with football or discussing the Steelers.

Just a personal insult, goes to show what an asshole you really are.

Or it goes to show that you have a repeated pattern of intentionally posting inflammatory thread topics and getting upset when people react strongly. Then you go on a self-imposed exile for a couple of weeks. Then come back and complain about it.

You read everything on here. You post on here a lot. Why are you surprised that people react strongly when you post another thread on a divisive topic with no comment or context? You could not have been surprised that many posters here would respond negatively to ANOTHER Kenny Pickett focused thread.

And also, you are a grown up. If a one line throw away comment for snark purposes on a message board is enough to upset your personal applecart...

[hawaiiansteeler]

Or it goes to show that you have a repeated pattern of intentionally posting inflammatory thread topics and getting upset when people react strongly. Then you go on a self-imposed exile for a couple of weeks. Then come back and complain about it.

You read everything on here. You post on here a lot. Why are you surprised that people react strongly when you post another thread on a divisive topic with no comment or context? You could not have been surprised that many posters here would respond negatively to ANOTHER Kenny Pickett focused thread.

And also, you are a grown up. If a one line throw away comment for snark purposes on a message board is enough to upset your personal applecart...

Go fuck yourself asshole.

[Mojouw]

Go fuck yourself asshole.

Let me make sure I understand.

I implied that you and others were too easily upset by the inconsequential goings on of an internet message board. And this is your effort to prove that you are somehow not overly sensitive?

Go get laid or something. You are wound far too tight.

[Edman]

All Quarterbacks come into the league with flaws and foepaws. I don't know if there is any "perfect" QB out there. Let's say you have a guy who comes into the league at maybe a 70-80 (Out of 100). They have something but there are pieces missing in their game.

That's where NFL coaching comes in. Its up to the coaches to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle. Be it better pocket presence, better footwork, better mechanics, or just a confidence booster.

Kenny was like a 60 at best. He didn't have the best arm but he was mobile. A competent coaching staff on the Steelers raises Kenny to the level of an 80. But the Steelers coaching staff is utter garbage and not fine-tuned to develop. Let's face facts here, I think after 18 years its plain to see that Mike Tomlin isn't all that of a NFL coach. He has so many of his own coaching deficiencies that he cannot raise the level of his players or teams. Our best hope is finding a freak of nature like T.J Watt, who is so supernaturally gifted that he could coast on it. Without talent that is anything less than Supernatural, the Steelers just throw up their hands and surrender, because who's gonna fix it? Tomlin lacks the ability to bring out the best of his players, and his assistants cannot either.

Look no further than Kevin Dotson. He was unremarkable here in Pittsburgh, leaves and becomes an All-Pro Guard. Kendrick Green was a bust in Pittsburgh, leaves and becomes respectable guard for the Texans. Isaac Seumalo was a pro bowler for the Eagles, he comes to Pittsburgh and he regresses into just a guy.

So yes, drafting Kenny in hindsight was a mistake. He didn't have the elite tools to be a franchise guy in the NFL, but he didn't enter a good situation either. The Steelers are just ill-equipped for player development. Just wing it and hope for the best. Hope we find a unicorn.

[steelcityboyz]

I saw Kenny pass better, manage the game better, and perform in the clutch better than Fields. I saw Fields run better.

Kenny is never going to run better than Fields. Fields might (or might not) eventually learn how to manage the game and pass better than Kenny. Right now I'd go with Kenny.

Racist.

[Voice of Reason]

Or it goes to show that you have a repeated pattern of intentionally posting inflammatory thread topics and getting upset when people react strongly. Then you go on a self-imposed exile for a couple of weeks. Then come back and complain about it.

You read everything on here. You post on here a lot. Why are you surprised that people react strongly when you post another thread on a divisive topic with no comment or context? You could not have been surprised that many posters here would respond negatively to ANOTHER Kenny Pickett focused thread.

And also, you are a grown up. If a one line throw away comment for snark purposes on a message board is enough to upset your personal applecart...

If anyone wonders why long-time members leave this board, or why there are almost no new people regularly posting here (except me), all you have to do is read the above post.