Former NFL GM predicts Steelers will stick with Kenny Pickett next season

This NFL offseason is headlined by a 2024 draft class loaded with quarterback talent and several passers already in the league that many expect to be wearing different uniforms next season. Leaving many curious who will be under center for the Pittsburgh Steelers later this year.

The Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett with the No. 20 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft following the retirement of longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But since Pickett has been starting under center for the Steelers he’s thrown for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his 25 game appearances and 24 starts.

But despite Pickett’s two seasons with Pittsburgh being up and down, former Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman believes that the Steelers will stick by his side ahead of the 2024 season.

“What I’m thinking is and what you’ve been reading out there is they’re all in on Kenny Pickett,” Spielman said via the 33rd Team. “So don’t expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to go up and trade for one of the big three quarterbacks in this draft or be very active in free agency signing a Kirk Cousins or maybe trading for Justin Fields.”

The Steelers have been tied to numerous rumors early in the offseason regarding the quarterback position from trading up from their No. 20 overall to draft a quarterback, to drafting a quarterback at No. 20, to acquiring potentially available quarterbacks like Fields, Cousins, or Russell Wilson.

But out of all the moves at Pittsburgh’s disposal, Spielman believes they won’t change a thing at the quarterback position. Sticking to who they drafted two years ago strongly due to the changes the team has made at the offensive coordinator position.

“I think they’re going to go with Kenny Pickett, see if they can develop him under Arthur Smith in this new power style offense that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to run,” Spielman explained.

Pittsburgh fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada following their 13-10 Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns, representing the first major mid-season coaching change since 1941 for the franchise. And after three straight 7-10 seasons the Atlanta Falcons fired Smith as their head coach, with Pittsburgh naming him as their new offensive coordinator about a month later.

In the last two seasons the Falcons ranked No. 3 and No. 1 in rushing attempts across the NFL. And next season with the Steelers, Spielman forecasts a similar offensive formula for the Steelers, one that will lend Pittsburgh to allowing Pickett to further develop while also not asking for much from the young quarterback.