Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was the backup for Monday's 31-17 wild-card defeat to the Buffalo Bills. Pickett's future with the Steelers came into question down the stretch of the 2023 season and he watched helplessly as Mason Rudolph struggled to keep pace with the Bills' high-octane offense. Rudolph completed 22-of-39 passing attempts for 229 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Starting Rudolph over Pickett in a playoff game makes it difficult for Pittsburgh to hand the keys to the franchise back over to Pickett. Steelers general manager Omar Khan should draft a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pickett last appeared for the Steelers in a Week 13 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals. Pickett suffered an ankle injury in that loss and was sidelined for multiple weeks. But the No. 20 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft was medically cleared to play against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin decided to stick with Rudolph, the former No. 3 quarterback, after he lit up the scoreboard for 34 points against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. Rudolph followed that up with another 30-point showing versus the Seahawks. Rudolph arguably led Pittsburgh's most impressive offensive showings of the season in consecutive weeks, but the long-term ramifications of Tomlin's decision may complicate Khan's offseason decisions.
The Steelers did not believe in Pickett's ability to lead them into the postseason. How can they sell him to the fan base as the franchise quarterback moving forward? Pickett's sophomore campaign finishes with just 2,070 passing yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions in 12 uneven regular-season appearances. His 62% completion percentage is one point worse (63%) than his rookie season output.
Pickett only played a game-and-a-half under interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner. He struggled mightily under previous play-caller Matt Canada, who was relieved of his duties in late November. Pittsburgh's disinterest in watching Pickett perform under their new offensive coordinator speaks volumes. It also leads to more questions than answers regarding Pickett's potential chemistry with Faulkner.
Monday's playoff defeat means the Steelers will own the No. 20 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Barring an extremely aggressive trade-up, that takes the Steelers out of the running for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels.
More than three quarterbacks are expected to be drafted within the opening 32 selections. Pittsburgh's positioning could place them in contention to draft Oregon's Bo Nix, Michigan's National Championship-winning quarterback J.J. McCarthy, or Washington's runner-up Michael Penix Jr. Mid-round quarterbacks like Michael Pratt or Spencer Rattler could represent a less aggressive path toward bringing in young competition. The Steelers should be doing extensive homework on these possibilities based on their handling of Pickett toward the end of their season.
Other quarterbacks could be on the move this summer. Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, and Sam Darnold are among the intriguing signal callers currently scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency. Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields could be available through trade. The Steelers should leave no stone unturned.
How often do legitimate franchise quarterbacks get benched for the playoffs in favor of the No. 3 QB? Pittsburgh's faith in Pickett has begun wavering. The Steelers should admit defeat on Pickett by acquiring another quarterback this offseason.
