I initially sympathized with Kenny Pickett. I mean, look at the Mason Rudolph experience in Pittsburgh followed by the Mitch Trubisky experience. I’m not sure if, as a quarterback in Pittsburgh post-Ben, you can believe what you are told by Tomlin and the Steelers GM. It doesn’t seem like any of these quarterbacks really got to compete. Instead it seems like a lot of promises and plans devoid of true competition. No one really had to earn it.
Rudolph was probably the best quarterback on the 23-24 roster, but he never really got the opportunity to compete with the anointed Pickett or even with Trubisky, the back-up. An injury and horrible quarterback play provided him the opportunity. And the year before that, Trubisky’s 4 game tenure seemed like a bit of a farce, just waiting for Pickett, 1st QB taken, 20th overall, to take over. A first round quarterback taking over at some point in year makes sense, but the illusion of competition or earning it just didn’t seem like part of the equation. A frustrated wide receiver might be all it takes to tip the scales.
So who knows what was said to Pickett concerning Russell Wilson. Probably more words from GM and/or head coach that wouldn’t matter later—straight up lies and deceit, an “ummm hey I changed my mind,” or even a decision rooted in the ever evolving world of information during a turbulent free agency period.
But Pickett looks fragile. He looks like an entitled whiner and the poster boy for the stereotype of a generation filled with expectations and devoid of the values of constantly improving (I’m already good enough to deserve a starting job and championship! You just don’t understand!), working hard (Competition is meant for other people who aren’t as good as me, you know, the ones who haven’t made it yet.), and resilience (I’m taking my ball and going home! I don’t like you guys. You’re giving me anxiety!)
Maybe NFL backup was your ceiling. I think of Charlie Batch—a former starting quarterback that was a reliable backup. Can you give us 2-2 when the starter goes down?—or Josh Dobbs—a journeyman capable of filling that backup role on like 8 different teams. So I will not denigrate the idea of a backup quarterback. I mean Nick Foles is loved for his Super Bowl win. Jeff Hoestetler also won a Super Bowl, so backups are a necessary commodity. Regardless, get the clipboard ready because you are Jalen Hurts’ backup.
Maybe one day Kenny Pickett will want a real quarterback competition.
So Kenny Pickett, Get off my lawn!!
I don’t need your tears causing yellow patches all over.
Stay salty.
Big Sall
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