Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: Kenny Pickett 'has to work on all aspects of his game'

At 6-8, the Steelers are on the verge of elimination from the AFC playoff picture and with that, legendary Pittsburgh signal-caller Ben Roethlisberger suggested Wednesday that perhaps the team should consider shutting down Pickett for the rest of the campaign. Roethlisberger retired at the end of the 2021 season and Pickett was selected by the Steelers as the first quarterback off the board during the 2022 NFL Draft at 20th overall.

The 24-year-old battled with sixth-year pro Mitchell Trubisky for the team's starting quarterback job throughout training camp, only to see Trubisky earn the role at the start of the season. Pickett took over midway through the team's Week 4 loss to the New York Jets after Trubisky led Pittsburgh to a 1-3 start and was named the starter ahead of Week 5.

Tomlin's crew was crushed by the Buffalo Bills 38-3 in Pickett's first start, but they bounced back to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-18 in Week 6. The rookie suffered a concussion against the Bucs, but was cleared for Week 7 and remained the starter until he exited Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens due to another concussion.

Pickett missed Week 15 while in the concussion protocol but is expected to start Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday night.

Pickett has compiled a 65.0% completion percentage for 1,252 passing yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions to go with 44 rushing attempts for 225 yards and three touchdowns in seven games (five starts) this year. Trubisky has played 10 games -- making nine starts -- and has a 65.0% completion percentage with 1,797 passing yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 19 rushing attempts for 38 yards and two scores.