Kenny Pickett Swapping Jerseys With Former Steeler

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner is back in town with his new team as the Arizona Cardinals head to Acrisure Stadium for Week 13. 

Conner, the Steelers' third-round pick in 2017, spent four years in Pittsburgh as a draftee out of the University of Pitt. After leaving, he signed with the Cardinals, where he's since started 27 of 36 games, rushing for 2,060 yards and 24 touchdowns while also earning his second Pro Bowl appearance. 

While Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett never played with Conner at Pitt, the two have crossed paths throughout their careers. When the former Pitt runner returns to Acrisure Stadium, Pickett plans to get his jersey. 

"He’s a great dude and an inspiration to so many people in this city," Pickett told Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Brian Batko. "Definitely gonna get a jersey swap with ‘6’ when I get done with that game."

The Steelers have been preparing for Conner's return all week and are well aware of what he brings to the field as an opponent. 

"When I watch him, he's still a lot of the same guy," defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. "He is a bruising runner. He will run through tackles. He gets to the second level. If he finds a little guy, the little guy had better watch out. So, I really like James. We know what kind of football guy he was when he was here. 

"Our guys are going to have their work cut out for us this week getting him on the ground and making sure the thing we talk about is we've got to get multiple hats to make sure we get him and wrap him. You're not going to shoulder tackle him. You're not going to push him down. You'd better tackle, wrap, and have multiple people there."

Pickett will be looking for a win over Conner this week, but afterward, he'll be looking for a picture-worthy moment swapping jerseys with an old friend.