Report: Steelers plan to rebuild around QB Kenny Pickett

The Kenny Pickett era is not over with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the team plans to rebuild around its former first round quarterback.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Pickett, who enters Year 3 with a new offense, had great meetings with new OC Arthur Smith. At this rate, the team wants to surround its young passer with the means for success.

So it’s basically Pickett or nothing for the 2024 season.

“Even as they sort out their quarterback outlook, the Steelers have started the process of rebuilding third-year passer Kenny Pickett,” Fowler wrote. “I’m told new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith recently spent time with Pickett in South Florida and that the two had a ‘great’ meeting. 

“The sentiment among many here in Indy — including some with the team — was that Pickett could get another chance after a disastrous 2023 season due in part to the offense’s overall struggles under then-OC Matt Canada. Smith should help maximize Pickett’s skill set. There’s also little doubt Pittsburgh will bring in quarterback competition, which could spark a Mason Rudolph re-signing.”

Pickett’s started 24 games over the course of his two-year career, going 14-10. But the stats aren’t anything to write home about due to overall team struggles on offense.

In total, he has 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 62.6% completion percentage.

But, it’s not time to give up on Pickett, according to Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw.

For one, Bradshaw is a huge fan of the Steelers starter, who presumably heads into his third year as QB1

“I love Pickett,” Bradshaw said during an interview this week on “The Rich Eisen Show.” “I know him well. He’s fiercely competitive. He’s a tough-minded kind. Things don’t bother him. I really like him a lot.” 

Bradshaw says he wants his starting quarterback to keep his wits about him on the field. That’s his main criteria. Talent around him takes care of the rest.

Bradshaw, who won four Super Bowl rings during his time in Pittsburgh, stressed, again, that the Steelers should stay status quo when it comes to Pickett, their first-round pick from 2022.

“Kenny’s got the poise,” Bradshaw told Eisen. “I just want my quarterback to be poised. If he’s poised, then his brain’s gonna be calm, he’s going to see the coverages, he’s going to be quick with his decision making. And Pickett has all of that.”