Yep, it’s me. The guy who screams “Get off my lawn” on a daily basis as those young whipper-snappers ruin the grass. Well, I’m back to remind a lot of you youngsters that Kenny Pickett isn’t the first rookie quarterback to throw more interceptions than touchdowns in his rookie season. After the hate-filled social media posts last night calling for him to be benched, traded and ‘pantsed’ in the main aisle of Giant Eagle, it’s time for some perspective.
First off, there’s no guarantee of what Kenny Pickett will become. If you know this then please tell me tonight’s lottery numbers. Whether Pickett goes on to a middling, journeyman-QB career or leads the Steelers to a Super Bowl doesn’t matter right now because none of us know a damn thing. But there is precedent for other well-thought of rookies.
Take for instance Troy Aikman. He’s a Hall of Famer who threw for 1,700 yards, nine TDs and 17 INTs his rookie campaign while also finishing 1-15. Eli Manning, who authored two of the biggest Super Bowl wins in history, barely eclipsed 1,000 yards and had 6TDs/9INTs. Alex Smith, the first overall selection of the 49ers, threw for 800 yards , 1TD/11INTs.
Matthew Stafford, now a Super Bowl Champion, had 13TDs and 20INTs in his rookie season in Detroit. John Elway had 7TDs/14INTs for the Broncos. Peyton Manning threw an impressive 26 touchdowns his rookie season for the Colts but also added 28 picks. And perhaps you’ll recall the name of four-time Super Bowl Champion and NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw. He threw 6TDs/24INTs and struggled for several years before things started to click.
Pickett made poor throws last night and he would be the first to own up to those but he also did a lot of good things too. He was fearless in the pocket, used his feet well for the most part and ran the offense with the poise of a veteran. Consider too he was coming off a concussion. I’m not trying to make excuses for Pickett at all – I’m just trying to point out there are strong precedents for his situation.
Ultimately, his long-term fate will rest on who his coordinator is going forward (because it won’t be Matt Canada) as well as how they build things around him. But Pickett must also continue to take responsibility and learn from his mistakes as so many of the above did. Whether or not he joins them is unknown but he’ll get his chance.
Now if you don’t mind, get off my lawn.
