Kenny Pickett gives unusual take on being compared to other quarterbacks in the draft process

Kenny Pickett believes he can grow and learn from any current NFL quarterback, so when asked if certain comparisons feel like a slight, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie didn’t hesitate.

“I mean they are all good, you are talking about pros, so it’s not like there is some slight,” Pickett said “There is something I can take from any comparison, I always just try to improve. There is something I can take from somebody’s game and I’m always going to do that.”

The former Pitt Panthers star clearly has an optimistic approach. Kenny Pickett made a point to specifically mention the two current Steelers’ signal callers as examples he can learn from.

“That is why I’m excited to learn from Mason and Mitch and see what they do well,” the rookie quarterback added. “And see if I can incorporate that with what I do. So you are always learning and always evolving and I’m looking forward to doing that.”

Kenny Pickett on being only QB selected in the first round 

After talk leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft about whether two, three or even four quarterbacks would be drafted in the first round, only Kenny Pickett earned that honor. In one of the most surprising storylines of the weekend, another quarterback did not come off the board until Desmond Ridder heard his name in the third round, near the end of Day Two.

After earning the prestigious honor, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kenny Pickett provided his thoughts on the way other quarterbacks slid down the board after his selection in the first round.

“To be honest with you, all those guys are friends of mine and I’ve spent a lot of time with them,” Pickett said at his introductory press conference. “No matter where they end up, it’s just all about what you do when you get here. So that’s what I’m excited about now. I finally have a new home and I’m excited to get to work. And everyone will be successful if they work hard.”

The other quarterbacks in the class who previously got first round talk – Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis, Matt Corral, Sam Howelland Carson Strong – can all now focus on making the most of the situation they find themselves in and try to become the next Russell Wilson or Tom Brady who comes out of those late spots.

It’s more than obvious Pickett is approaching his NFL career with poise and maturity for a rookie.