Kenny Pickett named Steelers’ clear-cut leader as Pittsburgh ushers in new chapter

Kenny Pickett, the next Pittsburgh homeboy, was supposed to be the guy. A University of Pittsburgh icon, the 2022 draft pick injected optimism into a Steelers franchise after Ben Roethlisberger, which was in dire need of defining itself.

And yet, with the 2025 NFL season on the doorstep, it's not Pickett calling the shots in the Steel City. Well, times change, and the Pickett story has taken an unexpected turn. Instead of taking Pittsburgh to war this year, Pickett is wearing orange and brown, dressing up as the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers' greatest nemesis. It's a surprise no one foresaw.

Kenny Pickett's NFL career hits an unexpected detour

Pickett followed a record-breaking near-perfection of the University of Pittsburgh's top passing records.

It was more than 12,000 career passing yards and then-legendary 42-touchdown season as a senior in 2021. He was selected 20th overall by the Steelers in 2022.He was a starter in a few games and, for a time, looked to be growing into the Steelers' answer for quarterback long-term. In two seasons, he was 15–10 as a starter, demonstrating moments of composure and fourth-quarter strength. But with just 13 touchdown passes to 13 interceptions and a passer rating of 78.8, doubts started to creep in as to whether he could ever make that next step.

The questions were answered in March 2024, when the Steelers traded Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a shock move, not necessarily because of his hometown roots, but because it appeared to indicate that Pittsburgh was ready to move on cleanly. Again, though, in March 2025, he was traded.

But to the Cleveland Browns, which stages one of the more intriguing quarterback battles in the NFL. Pickett is walking into a rich and dynamic QB room in Cleveland that features:

It's now or never. Pickett is just 26 and still possesses the skills that initially saw him drafted in the top 20. Specifically, his powerful right arm, lightning-speed feet, and leadership. But he's fighting for a spot on a talent-laden depth chart with no guarantee.Also Read: Kenny Pickett may be the odd man out from the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition | NFL News - Times of India