Steelers Rookie Quarterback Debuts to Mixed Results

After an ineffectual first two quarters by starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally pulled the trigger and trotted out rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett to open the third quarter in their Week 4 contest against the New York Jets. The first-round pick took Steelers faithful on a wild ride all through the second half in the 24-20 loss.

Jordan Whitehead comes down with the INT on the Kenny Pickett deep ball

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Pickett threw an interception on his very first pass as a professional. His defense set him up in a favorable spot for his second drive by returning an interception all the way to the Jets' four-yard line, and Pickett earned his first score in the league on a tough one-yard run. His next drive was his best: the former Pitt Panther marched the Steeler 82 yards and ran in another touchdown to go up 19-10.

Kenny Pickett's second rushing TD today!

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Things unravelled for the Steelers from there. The Jets responded with a touchdown drive. Pickett began his next possession strong, leading the Steelers past mid-field, but a too-high pass off his receiver's hands led to another interception. The Jets iced the game with another touchdown that all but ran out the clock, and Pickett added a third interception on a desperation heave as time expired.

In one of half of Pickett, the Steelers and their fans experienced all the tumult and turbulence of life with a rookie quarterback. Pickett ended the day with 10 completions on his 13 passes for 120 passing yards. He flashed the ability and mobility to play within the Steelers system and prove an exciting quarterback in the league. Yet every single one of his incompletions resulted in a turnover. The good was exhilarating. The mistakes were back-breaking.