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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Christian D'Andrea

Kenny Pickett made his Pittsburgh Steeler debut after 14 awful quarters of Mitchell Trubisky

Kenny Pickett Mitchell Trubisky Pittsburgh (Organization) Steeler Mitch Trubisky NFL Steelers Mike Tomlin CBS New York Jets

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.

Some fans and analysts were genuinely excited to see what Pickett could do

Others were willing to lean into the hype because, well, it's not like replacing Mitch Trubisky requires much more than a warm body

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