Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Panthers. (Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
Pittsburgh Steelers fans should not freak out over Pitt football star and potential Ben Roethlisberger replacement Kenny Pickett not getting his hands measured down in Mobile.
Pitt football sensation Kenny Pickett could be the heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger in the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback room, but he’s got these hands…
The Heisman Trophy finalist did not have his hands measured at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile this week. While that could make some Steelers fans uneasy, he did not get his paws measured for good reason: He is double-jointed. This means his thumb does not point in the same direction as most. Pickett will do exercises to help give a more accurate measurement at the NFL combine.
If Steelers fans want proof to see if he can succeed in a northern climate, just watch the tape of him dominating the ACC on Saturdays in the same stadium Pittsburgh plays in on Sundays.
Kenny Pickett did not get his hands measured at Senior Bowl for a good reason
Ultimately, Pickett is not going to see his robust 2022 NFL Draft stock plummet because of his double-jointed hands. He quarterbacked the Panthers to their best season in recent memory. While it may be a weak quarterback draft class, the expectation is for him to be the first one off the board. He may go inside of the top 10 to teams like the Carolina Panthers or even Washington.
Since the Steelers made the AFC playoffs as the No. 7 seed, Pittsburgh will presumably have to trade up to get their guy. The last thing they want is for him to be the next Dan Marino coming out of Pitt and go star for somebody else when they had the chance to draft him. With Roethlisberger hanging up the spikes, the Steelers are going nowhere without a franchise quarterback in 2022.
If any quarterback has the best chance at success in this draft, Pickett would have to be that guy.