(This is a position-by-position look at the Steelers offense at the conclusion of the 2023 season heading into the start of NFL free agency period, which opens March 13.)
Quarterbacks (3): Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky (released)
A LAST LOOK AT 2023
The 2023 season marked Kenny Pickett’s second as the starting quarterback – though it was the first time he exited training camp as the unquestioned No. 1. And after a preseason in which he completed 13-of-15 for 199 yards, with a perfect 158.3 rating, it looked as if Pickett was poised to make a big jump in his second NFL season.
As it turned out, Pickett’s second season looked a lot like his first – some good, some bad, and a dose of late-game heroics.
Pickett completed 62.0 percent for 2,070 yards in 12 games, with 6 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and a rating of 81.4. He led three fourth quarter comebacks and posted three game-winning drives.
The Steelers went 7-5 in Pickett’s 2023 starts, with a 14-10 record in two seasons, but he left three of those games early with injuries, with the Steelers losing all three. In games started and finished by Pickett, the Steelers were 7-2.
His interception percentage of 1.2 percent was second only to Houston’s C.J. Stroud among quarterbacks who threw more than 200 passes; his touchdown percentage of 1.9 percent was the lowest among qualified passers.
“I’m extremely confident in him. I feel stronger about some of the intangible things than I did obviously when we first started doing business with him because I have evidence of it,” Coach Mike Tomlin said of Pickett. “He’s highly competitive and professional. He doesn’t run from challenges. He runs to challenges. I think that’s evident in the way he plays, particularly at the end of close football games. He’s got a good framework to work with and for a young guy he’s mature beyond his years. I’m excited about him.”
That being said, the Steelers want to see Pickett take a big step forward in his third season.
“It’s a big year for him,” said Tomlin. “We acknowledge that. It is a
