Stephen A. Smith claims Kenny Pickett shouldn’t be the starting QB for the Steelers

Kenny Pickett missed several games during the 2023 season due to injuries.

Stephen A. Smith claims Kenny Pickett shouldn’t be the starting QB for the Steelers

Kenny Pickett and Stephen A Smith (Via Imago/X)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have just one quarterback under contract for the 2024-25 season, and that is Kenny Pickett. The team is currently looking to re-sign Mason Rudolph, who is set to become a free agent. General Manager Omar Khan is certain that signing Rudolph will not be a big issue for them.

Amidst this, frustrated analyst Stephen A. Smith has shared some harsh criticism about Pickett. Smith does not consider Pickett worthy enough to make things happen for the Steelers. He ridiculed the QB in a recent episode of First Take.

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Kenny Pickett, keep working on your game. I'm not trying to throw you out with bath water. But you should not be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers at this particular moment in time.
Stephen A. Smith said

Stephen A’s rant comes after general manager Omar Khan put all his faith in Kenny Pickett in a recent interview. Khan announced that Pickett would be the starter for the next season. Khan believes that the young QB will have a better campaign in 2024.

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I have full faith in Kenny. He's shown us some good things, and obviously there were some issues with the offense.
Omar Khan said at the NFL Combine

The GM then noted that he is hopeful his team would be better with the combination of Kenny Pickett and Arthur Smith. The Steelers recently hired Smith as their new offensive coordinator.

Anyone except Kenny Pickett, says Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith was so frustrated with the Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan that he encouraged the team to go for anyone except Kenny Pickett. He said that a division with Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson would make it difficult for Pickett. He suggested anyone would work for the Steelers except the former first-round draft pick. 

Kenny Pickett Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett (via Sports Illustrated)
Me, personally? It is a Justin Fields, it is a Kirk Cousins, it is a Russell Wilson. Any of the three. And we know, How I have critiqued Kirk Cousins in the postseason. But damn it, I would throw a parade for him. Compared to what they have got? Give me any of the three. Any of the three. You can not be choosy.
Stephen A. Smith said

Since Pickett would certainly be starting, his job would be to prove the analyst wrong. After last year’s disappointment, the Steelers will try to make a deep postseason run in the 2024-25 season. Kenny Pickett, who will be entering the third year in the league, has a lot on his shoulders.

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