Kenny Pickett, the young quarterback drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has become one of the most closely watched players in the NFL. Fans and analysts alike track his growth carefully, especially since he was chosen to be the potential long-term replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. A key measure of his performance has been his record as a starting quarterback.
Pickett’s Rookie Season (2022)
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Kenny Pickett took over as the Steelers’ starter early in his rookie season, replacing veteran Mitchell Trubisky.
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Despite early struggles, he showed resilience and growth throughout the year.
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Record in 2022 as starter: He finished his rookie campaign with a 7–5 record.
Highlights of his rookie year:
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Led the Steelers to a strong late-season push, winning six of their last seven games.
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Showed clutch ability with game-winning drives against the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens.
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Although his passing numbers were modest, his decision-making and leadership stood out.
Second Season (2023)
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Entering 2023, expectations were higher as Pickett was firmly the starting quarterback.
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Injuries and inconsistency slowed him down, and the Steelers’ offense faced challenges.
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Record in 2023 as starter: He posted a 7–5 record again before suffering an ankle injury that limited his availability late in the season.
Notable takeaways from 2023:
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Continued to show late-game toughness and calm under pressure.
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Struggled at times with offensive production, sparking debates about his long-term ceiling.
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Despite limitations, he kept the Steelers competitive in the playoff hunt.
Overall Record as Starter
Across his first two seasons (2022–2023):
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Kenny Pickett’s record as a starter is 14–10.
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This winning record reflects his ability to help the Steelers stay competitive despite being a young quarterback in a tough division.
What the Record Means
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Consistency and Growth – A 14–10 record shows that Pickett has more wins than losses, which is impressive for a young QB still developing in the NFL.
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Clutch Factor – Many of his wins have come in close games, highlighting his poise in high-pressure situations.
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Future Outlook – While his personal stats may not yet rank among the league’s elite quarterbacks, his winning record suggests he has the foundation to grow into a reliable starter if the Steelers continue to build around him.
So, what is Kenny Pickett’s record as a starter?
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Over his first two NFL seasons, he has a 14–10 record as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback.
Pickett’s journey is still unfolding. While his early numbers show promise, the bigger question remains whether he can develop into a franchise quarterback capable of leading the Steelers deep into the playoffs. For now, his record proves that he has what it takes to win games and keep Pittsburgh competitive in the AFC North.
Why Did the Steelers Trade Kenny Pickett?
The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines when they decided to trade quarterback Kenny Pickett, just two seasons after drafting him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The move surprised many fans, given that Pickett was once considered the heir to Ben Roethlisberger. To understand why the Steelers parted ways with him, it’s important to look at the factors that led to the trade.
1. Inconsistent On-Field Performance
One of the biggest reasons behind the decision was inconsistency.
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While Pickett showed flashes of potential, including clutch fourth-quarter drives, his overall production was limited.
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In 25 starts over two seasons, he posted modest numbers in passing yards and touchdowns compared to other young quarterbacks drafted around the same time.
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The Steelers struggled to generate explosive plays through the air, leaving fans and analysts questioning if Pickett had the upside to become a franchise quarterback.
2. Offensive Struggles and Fit
The Steelers’ offense as a whole had issues during Pickett’s tenure.
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Critics often pointed to poor offensive schemes under coordinator Matt Canada, which limited creativity.
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Even after changes in play-calling, the offense remained among the lowest-scoring units in the league.
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Some inside the organization believed Pickett didn’t fit the long-term offensive vision and might thrive better in a new system.
3. Injury Concerns
In his second season, Pickett dealt with an ankle injury that sidelined him late in the year.
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Durability concerns began to surface, especially since the Steelers’ offensive line had struggled to protect him.
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While not considered injury-prone yet, the setback raised doubts about his ability to stay on the field consistently.
4. Locker Room Dynamics
Reports suggested that Pickett’s relationship with the organization became strained.
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After veteran quarterback Russell Wilson was acquired, Pickett reportedly felt “blindsided” by the move.
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Sources indicated he wanted a fresh start rather than competing for his job in Pittsburgh.
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His request for a trade aligned with the team’s willingness to move forward with a more experienced quarterback.
5. The Steelers’ Future Plans
The Steelers have always valued winning now.
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By bringing in a proven veteran like Wilson, Pittsburgh signaled that it wanted to compete immediately rather than wait for Pickett’s development.
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Trading Pickett allowed the team to acquire draft capital and build around its new offensive direction.
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It also reduced distractions, ensuring a clear leadership structure in the quarterback room.
The Trade in Perspective
In the end, the Steelers’ decision to trade Kenny Pickett was not about a lack of talent, but about timing, fit, and direction:
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His inconsistent performance created doubt about his ceiling.
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Injuries and offensive struggles slowed his growth.
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A change in team strategy, paired with the arrival of Russell Wilson, made his role uncertain.
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Pickett himself reportedly preferred a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
Why did the Steelers trade Kenny Pickett?
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It was a combination of on-field inconsistency, injuries, locker room tension, and a shift toward win-now mode with veteran leadership.
The trade gives Pickett a chance to reboot his career in a new environment, while the Steelers move forward with a clearer offensive identity. Time will tell if this decision was the right one for both sides.
What Is Kenny Pickett’s QB Rating?
Kenny Pickett, the quarterback drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has been closely evaluated by fans, analysts, and coaches since stepping into the role as the team’s starter. One of the most telling statistics for any quarterback is the Quarterback Rating (QB rating or passer rating), which measures efficiency in passing by factoring in completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
Understanding QB Rating
The NFL passer rating formula takes into account:
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Completion percentage
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Yards per attempt
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Touchdown percentage
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Interception percentage
The maximum possible QB rating in the NFL is 158.3, while an average rating hovers around 90.0.
Kenny Pickett’s QB Rating by Season
2022 Rookie Season
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Pickett’s first year was a learning experience.
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He threw 7 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, with over 2,400 passing yards.
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His QB rating for 2022 was 76.7, reflecting early struggles with turnovers and growing pains.
2023 Season
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In his second year, Pickett showed more composure and better decision-making.
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He threw fewer interceptions but also had a limited number of touchdown passes.
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His QB rating for 2023 improved to 81.4, showing growth but still below the league average.
Career QB Rating
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Across his first two seasons in the NFL, Kenny Pickett’s career QB rating sits at approximately 79.9.
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This places him in the category of a developing quarterback who has room to improve, particularly in generating touchdowns and creating big passing plays.
How Pickett’s Rating Compares
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Below League Average: The average starting quarterback usually maintains a rating in the mid- to high-80s. Elite quarterbacks often post ratings above 100.
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Positive Signs: Despite being under the average, Pickett has kept turnovers relatively low, which suggests potential for growth as his experience and supporting cast improve.
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Room to Grow: His rating reflects a quarterback who has yet to fully establish himself as a franchise leader but shows enough flashes to keep fans optimistic.
What the QB Rating Says About Pickett
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Efficiency Needs Work – His rating suggests that he has yet to consistently move the ball and score through the air.
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Promising Clutch Factor – Despite a modest rating, Pickett has earned praise for late-game poise, often leading game-winning drives.
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Future Potential – With more development, better offensive schemes, and improved chemistry with his receivers, his QB rating could rise significantly in coming seasons.
What is Kenny Pickett’s QB rating?
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As of the end of the 2023 NFL season, his career QB rating is about 79.9, with a season-high of 81.4 in 2023.
While these numbers are still below the NFL average, Pickett’s toughness, leadership, and clutch performances give Steelers fans hope that he can continue to grow into the role. If he can turn those flashes of brilliance into consistent production, his rating—and his reputation—will rise quickly.
How Long Has Kenny Pickett Been Playing in the NFL?
Kenny Pickett, the young quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has drawn significant attention since entering the NFL. Fans, analysts, and fantasy football enthusiasts alike often ask: How long has Kenny Pickett been playing in the NFL? Understanding his timeline provides insight into his development and future potential as a starting quarterback.
Draft and Entry into the NFL
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Drafted: Kenny Pickett was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 20th overall.
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College Career: Prior to entering the NFL, Pickett played for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, where he became one of the top quarterbacks in college football. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2021 and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Pickett’s strong college performance made him an appealing first-round pick, with the Steelers envisioning him as the long-term successor to Ben Roethlisberger.
Rookie Season: 2022
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Pickett officially began his NFL career in the 2022 season.
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He made his first start early in the season after initially serving as a backup to Mitchell Trubisky.
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In his rookie year, Pickett played 12 games as a starter, posting a 7–5 record.
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Highlights included multiple game-winning drives and showing poise under pressure, though he also struggled with consistency, typical for a first-year quarterback.
Second Season: 2023
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Pickett’s second NFL season, 2023, marked his first full year as the Steelers’ presumed starting quarterback.
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He played in 12 games as a starter before an ankle injury limited his appearances.
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His record remained similar to his rookie season, with 7 wins and 5 losses, further establishing him as a developing quarterback in the league.
Total NFL Tenure
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Kenny Pickett entered the NFL in 2022.
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As of the end of the 2023 season, he has two years of professional NFL experience.
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During this time, he has started 24 games and gained valuable experience leading a team in the highly competitive AFC North division.
Career Highlights So Far
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First-Round Draft Pick – Selected 20th overall by the Steelers in 2022.
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Rookie Wins – Achieved a 7–5 record in his rookie season as a starter.
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Clutch Performances – Known for late-game composure, including several game-winning drives.
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Development and Growth – Shown gradual improvement in decision-making, poise, and leadership.
How long has Kenny Pickett been playing in the NFL?
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Kenny Pickett has been in the NFL since 2022, giving him two seasons of experience as of the end of 2023.
Despite his short tenure, Pickett has already faced the challenges of leading a team in a tough division and navigating the transition from college to professional football. His first two seasons have provided a foundation for growth, and the coming years will be critical in determining whether he can become a long-term franchise quarterback for the Steelers.
