The Steelers had high hopes for making changes in their quarterback’s room going into the summer. But this week, Omar Khan, the general manager of the Steelers, said that he never would have predicted the team to sign Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
Khan gave Kenny Pickett a vote of confidence as the season concluded with yet another one-and-done playoff participation. The general manager also noted that the Steelers would probably provide some competition at the position. That way of thinking was short-lived, as enormous reductions allowed for the acquisition of Fields through trade and Russell through free agency. Additionally, the Steelers were able to completely reset their QB depth chart by finding the Eagles as a trade partner for Pickett. Khan clarified that Pickett’s talent had nothing to do with the abrupt turn of events.
There has been no change. I still think highly of Kenny Pickett,” Khan remarked. “Kenny is a competent quarterback and football player. I believe he’s
Nothing has changed. I still have a lot of faith in Kenny Pickett,” Khan said. “Kenny’s a good football player, a good quarterback. I think he’s got a big future in the NFL. Things just kind of evolved. I couldn’t really have foreseen that things would go the way they did.”
Now, the Steelers will shift their focus to their two new signal callers. Mike Tomlin made it clear this week that Wilson is in “pole position” to be Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, although Fields will eventually have the “opportunity to compete” when the time comes. Tomlin noted the advantage of having clarity at the position, which is why he’s been straightforward when discussing his team’s QB plan.
We’ve been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start,” Tomlin said earlier this week (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He’s got a proven process of readiness. He’s been in this league a long time. He’s capable of rallying troops, receivers, tight ends, running backs, et cetera. He’s just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar and I just think that that’s something that a younger guy like Justin could learn from.
Leave a Reply