Can Kenny Pickett match Mac Jones' rookie season?

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed expected news on Tuesday when he announced that rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is replacing veteran Mitchell Trubisky atop the depth chart as the 1-3 Steelers prepare to play at the 3-1 Buffalo Bills this coming Sunday. 

Back in August when Pickett was still learning about life in the NFL as a backup, Kevin Patra of the league's website suggested that the 24-year-old could possibly match the type of rookie campaign Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase enjoyed in 2021. For a piece published Tuesday, The Athletic's Mike DeFabo took a more realistic approach and compared Pickett, the 20th overall choice of this year's draft, to New England Patriots signal-caller and 2021 rookie Mac Jones. 

"The 15th selection in 2021 started all 17 games for the Patriots, going 10-7," DeFabo wrote of Jones. "He finished with a 67.6 completion percentage, throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 TDs and 13 INTs for a passer rating of 92.5. He also had a quality offensive line, running game and defense. 

"Justin Fields (of the Chicago Bears), who went 11th and didn’t have as much support, posted a 58.9 completion percentage, throwing for 1,870 yards, seven TDs and 10 INTs for a passer rating of 73.2 in 12 games (2-8 record)."

Per ESPN stats, Jones ended his first pro regular season 15th among eligible quarterbacks in passer rating and 16th with a 56.9 total QBR. 

Pickett, meanwhile, replaced Trubisky to start the second half of this past Sunday's 24-20 loss to the New York Jets and completed 10-of-13 passes for 120 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions to go along with 15 yards and two scores on six carries. 

"According to TruMedia, all rookie QBs over the last 10 years have completed 60.1 percent of their passes and posted a passer rating of 80.4, a win percentage of .369 and an EPA per dropback of minus-0.4," DeFabo added. "Among qualified QBs (at least 14 attempts per team game), they threw for 2,962.6 yards, 15.9 TDs and 11.5 INTs (a slightly higher passer rating of 81.9)."