2022 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers take Kenny Pickett No.20 overall

It’s a new era for the Pittsburgh Steelers after Ben Roethlisberger retired, and the selection of Kenny Pickett signifies the dawn of what the Steel City hopes is the continuation of a standard of success. 

Now that Ben Roethlisberger has hung up his cleats and bid farewell, the Pittsburgh Steelers thank him for his services and turn to the 2022 NFL Draft.

Furthermore, the Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky. Sadly though, they lost Dwayne Haskins in a car accident, and prayers are to be distributed to his family and loved ones.

So, here sit the Steelers looking for a new signal-caller, and there was speculation as to whether or not it would be Malik Willis or hometown hunk Kenny Pickett. Both had exciting college resumes, and the Steelers need a new leader behind center.

With the 20th pick, the Steelers chose Pickett, and even though Steelers fan Stephen A. Smith went on a Twitter rant about the selection, he would be wise not to say a word and just let the process play out. After all, Pickett broke out last year in college and showed traits of being a successful NFL quarterback.

The Pittsburgh Steelers pay homage to their town by selecting Kenny Pickett.

Last season, Pickett finished with 42 touchdown passes to seven picks. Moreover, he had a slide in the ACC Championship that forced a rule change, along with being a finalist for the Heisman trophy. In other words, he had a magical season.

Does that mean the pros will be much grizzlier? Sure, but Pickett is a confident man, despite the hand measurements that dominated sports talk shows. If a guy is a winner and has shown that he can be a winner, then measurables don’t matter.

The Steelers look like they have secured their quarterback of the future, and if Pickett thrives, then those like Smith may have to take a step back and realize how fortunate they are about the hometown kid making good on the home team’s investment.