NFL insider defends former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett from 'bust' label

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with high hopes for his future with the franchise, expecting him to potentially become their long-term quarterback solution. However, after just 24 starts, the Steelers opted to trade Pickett.

Pickett's departure came after the Steelers acquired Russell Wilson, prompting Pickett to request a trade. Although the Steelers assured Pickett of a chance to compete for the starting role, he believed he should have been given priority as the incumbent. As a result, he sought a trade, and the Steelers obliged, sending him to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports discussed the AFC North and the Cleveland Browns on the "Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show," where one of the co-hosts boasted about being correct in labeling Pickett as a bust. Kinkhabwala swiftly defended Pickett, asserting that he is not a bust.  

“If you even knew and we can talk about this offline. If you even knew the half of what he was dealing with here. I’m not willing to say he was a complete and total bust. He was not the right fit, and it was not the right thing here. Let’s wait until his career is over before classifying him as a bust.”

While Kinkhabwala didn't explicitly outline the specifics of Pickett's challenges on air, perhaps one of them revolved around contending with a struggling offensive coordinator in Matt Canada. Under Canada's guidance, the Steelers offense consistently languished among the league's worst.

Following Canada's dismissal, Pickett notably delivered one of his strongest performances against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite not recording any passing touchdowns, he showcased precision in his throws, completing 72.7% of his passes for 278 yards without any turnovers.

However, Pickett's momentum was abruptly halted in the subsequent game due to injury. Had he remained healthy, the trajectory of the Steelers' offseason might have been markedly different, offering fans a more accurate assessment of Pickett sans Canada. Unfortunately, following his injury, Pickett never took another snap for the Steelers.

Speculation arose regarding Pickett's alleged refusal to dress and back up Mason Rudolph, yet these reports have been contested, with conflicting accounts clouding the truth. Ultimately, it's evident that the partnership between Pickett and the Steelers didn't materialize as hoped, signaling the need to pivot and move forward. Nonetheless, Kinkhabwala's insights shed light on the complexities of Pickett's tenure with the team.

Some believe Kenny Pickett never got a fair chance in Pittsburgh

The debate regarding Pickett's fair opportunity is certainly contentious. As a rookie, he was essentially handed the reins of the franchise. In his short career in Pittsburgh, he started 24 games and posted a passer rating of 80.1 with 4,354 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While he struggled to consistently deliver, as Kinkhabwala pointed out, there were likely underlying factors at play that we're not privy to.

Despite facing challenges, Pickett demonstrated his ability to perform in crucial moments, winning 14 out of the 24 games he started. Thus, the assertion that he didn't receive a fair chance doesn't hold true. However, it's unfair to label him a bust or attribute his Pittsburgh struggles solely to him.

Unfortunately, the NFL is unforgiving, with no guarantees. Injuries took their toll, and the Steelers seemingly grew weary of his discontent, hence granting his trade request. Pickett is now poised to serve as the backup to Jalen Hurts for the Eagles.