Kenny Pickett makes NFL debut, replaces Mitch Trubisky as Steelers QB to begin 2nd half vs. Jets

The Kenny Pickett era is underway.

Pickett, the former Pitt star and first-round pick in April, made his NFL debut to begin the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first offensive possession of the second half of Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets.

The Steelers managed just six points in the first half and were trailing the Jets, 10-6, when the decision was apparently made by coach Mike Tomlin at halftime. The offense produced only four offensive touchdowns throughout the first 3½ games of the season under veteran Mitch Trubisky, the free-agent quarterback signed in March to replace retired 18-year Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

As the offense struggled during the first half against the lowly Jets, fans at Acrisure Stadium twice serenaded the offense with boos after failed third downs. Chants of “Ken-ny, Ken-ny” also were heard as local fans longed for the 2021 Heisman Trophy finalist who helped lead Pitt to its first conference championship last season.

Taken No. 20 overall, Pickett entered training camp in what Tomlin was calling an open competition for the starting quarterback job. But Trubisky never took anything other than first-team reps throughout camp, and he was named the starter. Pickett, though, ultimately leapfrogged veteran Mason Rudolph for the No. 2 job.

Pickett’s first pass attempt was intercepted, when the sixth play of his stewardship with the Steelers offense was a long throw 38 yards downfield the left side intended for Chase Claypool. Former Pitt teammate and New York safety Jordan Whitehead had the interception at the Jets’ 11 yard-line.

Pickett, two plays earlier, converted a fourth-and-inches with a sneak up the middle.

Pickett had a 1-yard touchdown run to cap his second possession as Steelers quarterback.

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