Pickett got the call to replace a thoroughly ineffective Mitch Trubisky. And threw an interception with his first NFL pass.
After three-and-a-half games, one thing was clear for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mitchell Trubisky was not the answer at quarterback.
Fortunately, head coach Mike Tomlin has a plan B. Following 14 uninspiring quarters with Trubisky at the helm, the Steelers turned to rookie Kenny Pickett in hopes of sparking a comeback against the New York Jets. It was a move that soothed Pittsburgh fans overwhelmed by mediocrity throughout the month of September — even if Pickett wasn’t asked to move mountains in his debut.
Things were so loud at not-Heinz Stadium that the Steeler sideline had to calm fans down in order to ensure Pickett had a quiet enough backdrop to relay plays to his offense.
Tomlin started his first-year passer with a conservative offense that ran the ball on each of his first five plays — including a fourth down QB sneak from the Steelers’ 31-yard line. Then he took the governor off Pickett’s engine and tested him with a throw downfield.
It wasn’t great!
Pickett’s first NFL pass was intercepted on a slightly underthrown ball Chase Claypool had a decent shot at, but instead fell into the hands of safety Jordan Whitehead. That tempered expectations briefly, but Pittsburgh fans remained optimistic their quarterback was no longer Trubisky.
They only had to wait three plays after a Minkah Fitzpatrick interception for their young QB to redeem himself. Kinda.
