Report: Steelers to Start Kenny Pickett over Mitch Trubisky

Oct 2, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) reacts after scoring a rushing touchdown against the New York Jets during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to name rookie Kenny Pickett their starting quarterback for Week 5, NFL Media reported on Monday, one day after Pickett made his NFL regular-season debut.

Pickett replaced Mitchell Trubisky during Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the New York Jets, going 10-of-13 with three interceptions and two rushing touchdowns in his first NFL regular-season game.

Pittsburgh travels to Buffalo on Sunday to face the AFC East-leading Bills.

Before Monday's news, analyst Mike Martz of The 33rd Team said he believed Pickett would be the wise choice.

“I know he threw three picks … but he’s not afraid to throw it in there,” Martz said on Sunday. “I can coach a guy like that. You can fix that. You can’t help a guy who’s afraid to make mistakes and won’t turn the ball loose. That’s where Trubisky is. He’s so tentative and won’t turn the ball loose and give the guys a chance. You can’t help a guy who refuses to be aggressive and isn’t confident about his ability to put the ball where he wants to. That’s what I like about Pickett; we can fix him. I don’t know so much about Trubisky. I know he’s got a big arm, but he’s too tentative.

“I like Pickett. My vote would be to stay with him and fix him.”

After the loss to the Jets, which dropped Pittsburgh to 1-3, coach Mike Tomlin said he made the in-game switch to Pickett to give his struggling team a spark.

“We didn’t do much in the first half, not enough offensively, and thought he could provide a spark for us,” said Tomlin, who remained non-committal to his starter.

A day later, that appears to have changed.