(Featured photo by Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)

Kenny Pickett made for some of the most mind-numbing and exhausting chatter around the Pittsburgh Steelers over the last three years.

Pickett, a legend at the nearby University of Pittsburgh for his days wearing blue and gold, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 20th overall back in 2022. It was the final first round selection made by longtime Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, who was looking to set the franchise up with their next great quarterback after the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.

Instead of doing that, however, Colbert gave the Steelers a super confusing and controversial player, one who was nearly the sole focus of media and talk radio during his two years as a Steeler.

Pickett, who went 14-10 over his NFL time in Pittsburgh, averaged 179 passing yards per game, recorded 13 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and completed 62.55% of his passes.

He had a unique clutch gene that allowed him to close out games, regardless of how poor he played during the first three and a half quarters, like when he did it against Las Vegas on Christmas Eve in 2022, and then again a week later on New Years Day in Baltimore against the Ravens.

However, he often struggled with the easier things in the NFL. He was an inaccurate passer far too often, and was ineffective at reading defenses.