Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett had a big fourth-down conversion on a QB sneak on his first NFL drive, and he already has himself his first NFL rushing touchdown, but he’s going down in NFL history as one of a few quarterbacks to throw interceptions on their first-ever pass.
Pickett tried to hit Chase Claypool deep downfield on his first passing attempt, and Claypool couldn’t haul in a pretty good 50-50 ball by the rookie QB. Jets defensive back Jordan Whitehead made an incredible play on the ball after it careened off of Claypool’s hands.
Kenny Pickett throws interception on first NFL pass
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1576648449268719616
Pickett throwing an interception on his first pass begs the question of what other NFL quarterbacks have thrown interceptions on their first passing attempts. There are a few notable names on that list, believe it or not.
Notable NFL quarterbacks that threw interceptions on first-ever pass (since 1991)
Brett Favre (Falcons), 1991
Brett Favre, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, is obviously in the news for the wrong reasons these days. Back when he was still a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Favre threw an interception on his first career passing attempt. This tipped ball actually ended up being a pick-six. This was the only first-pass interception from 1991-2015.
On this day in 1991, Brett Favre threw his first career NFL pass ... a pick-6. He finished the game 0-4, 0 yards, 2 INTs, 0.0 passer rating. pic.twitter.com/RLRB9b3bNj
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) November 10, 2020
Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), 2015
Jameis Winston was the number one overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. The former Heisman winner out of Florida State came into the league with a reputation for being a little reckless with the ball and it followed him as an NFL player. As a matter of fact, not only was Winston’s first pass in the NFL a pick-six, but his final pass as a member of the Buccaneers was also a pick-six.
Obviously, Winston is now a member of the New Orleans Saints and he’s cut down on the interceptions a bit since his massive 30-interception season a few years back.
Sam Darnold (Jets), 2018
As a member of the New York Jets, Sam Darnold came into the league with ironically similar expectations as Jameis Winston. Both players were considered big-time talents with issues in the turnover department. Darnold’s issues have obviously persisted to a significant degree, so much so that he’s been traded and effectively replaced multiple times.
Darnold’s first pass with the Jets back in 2018 as the third overall pick in the Draft was a pick-six, a bad omen for his NFL career up to this point, but the Jets did go on to win that particular game.
Kenny Pickett (Steelers), 2022
Kenny Pickett has joined this “illustrious” list and really, it’s not a big deal. Since this post was in progress of being written, Pickett has a second rushing touchdown and has the Steelers offense looking competent. The stadium is absolutely roaring in Pittsburgh.
Unlike the players before him on this list, Pickett did not come into the league with a reputation for throwing interceptions and gunslinging. He will be just fine.