Steelers Now
More than four years after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, former general manager Kevin Colbert remains confident the organization made the right decision based on the information available at the time.
While Pickett’s tenure in Pittsburgh ultimately fell short of expectations, Colbert argued that the process behind the selection was sound and that the quarterback showed signs early in his career that suggested he was developing into the player the Steelers envisioned.
“Yeah, and you know, Kenny was a start and win. We projected Kenny to be a start and win NFL quarterback and quite honestly, he lived up to that in his first two seasons with us. You know, for us, he was 14 and 10 and trending in the right direction.” Colbert said on 93.7 The Fan’s Pomp and Joe Show, defending the organization’s decision to use the No. 20 overall pick on the former Pitt star.
The Steelers entered the 2022 offseason facing a franchise altering transition following Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. With uncertainty at quarterback and a need for long-term stability at the position, Pittsburgh reached for Pickett, who was coming off a record-setting final season at the University of Pittsburgh.
At the time, many draft analysts viewed Pickett as the top quarterback prospect in what was a pretty weak class. His familiarity with the city, leadership qualities, and extensive college experience made him an attractive option for a Steelers team searching for its next franchise quarterback.
Colbert emphasized that Pickett possessed many of the intangible traits the organization values, including toughness, competitiveness, and professionalism. Even as the quarterback’s career in Pittsburgh failed to develop as hoped, Colbert maintained that Pickett handled himself the right way throughout his time with the team.
The former Steelers general manager also pointed to the circumstances surrounding Pickett’s development. During his two seasons as Pittsburgh’s starter, the offense struggled to find consistency. Coaching changes, offensive line issues, and an overall lack of offensive production created obstacles for a young quarterback attempting to establish himself at the NFL level.
Despite those challenges, Pickett showed flashes of potential early in his career according to Colbert. Several late-game drives and fourth-quarter comebacks fueled optimism that he could become the long-term answer under center. Those moments helped reinforce the belief within the organization that his development was moving in a positive direction.
Ultimately, however, the production never matched the expectations that accompany a first-round quarterback. As Pittsburgh moved in a different direction at the position, Pickett’s time with the franchise came to an end, leaving many fans to view the selection as a missed opportunity.
Still, Colbert’s comments highlight an important distinction between process and results. While the outcome of the Pickett experiment did not deliver the franchise quarterback the Steelers hoped to find, Colbert believes the decision itself was justified based on the evaluation, circumstances, and information available in 2022.
In hindsight, the pick will continue to be debated among Steelers fans. But for...
