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The Steelers fans who were at Acrisure Stadium for Pittsburgh's first preseason game of 2022 on Saturday night had to wait a while to see Kenny Pickett make his NFL debut.
Mitchell Trubisky started at quarterback as expected, and the free-agent acquisition played two series. After that, Mike Tomlin turned to veteran Mason Rudolph and had him play the rest of the first half.
Pickett finally took the field with 10:37 left in the third quarter. He was greeted by loud cheers and chants of "Ken-ny!"
First, the chants for @kennypickett10.Then the big run from @StevenSimsJr.Pittsburgh is going crazy.📺: #SEAvsPIT on @NFLNetwork📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/cINB23fgo8 pic.twitter.com/H9HWMHSuc1— NFL (@NFL)
The hype may have intimidated other players, but Pickett had no issue. He led a scoring drive on his first series and also provided late-game heroics in the Steelers' 32-25 win over the Seahawks.
Pickett's debut was rock-solid and should give Pittsburgh fans hope for the future. The Sporting News breaks down his first game action as a member of the Steelers.
MORE: Kenny Pickett or Mitchell Trubisky? Breaking down Steelers' QB battle
Pickett's first drive was just about perfect. He moved the Steelers 75 yards in just under four minutes and often displayed his best trait: his accuracy.
Pickett completed all five of his pass attempts in the series for 33 yards. He capped the drive by delivering a touchdown strike while on the move to running back Jaylen Warren.
First preseason drive, first preseason TD for @kennypickett10. 🙌📺: #SEAvsPIT on @NFLNetwork (check local listings)📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/cINB23wRfG pic.twitter.com/CHMY8mZyBH— NFL (@NFL)
The rookie's completion streak lasted a while. Pickett completed his first 10 passes as he showed a knack for finding open receivers. He read the field very well and thrived in the pocket. He also found success on play-action, including on his first throw of the game.
.@kennypickett10's first pass with the @steelers?A first down. 👏📺: #SEAvsPIT on @NFLNetwork📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/cINB23fgo8 pic.twitter.com/26yq8OKj0C— NFL (@NFL)
There was, however, one play-action pass that Pickett didn't execute well. On fourth-and-1 with 1:23 left in the game and the score tied 25-25, Pickett tried to scramble away from Seahawks rookie Boye Mafe but couldn't. He wasn't able to release a pass and was sacked for an 8-yard loss.
What a clutch sack by the rookie @boye_mafe 😤📺: #SEAvsPIT on @NFLNetwork (check local listings)📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/cINB23wRfG pic.twitter.com/vR40Lmynum— NFL (@NFL)
Pickett was able to atone for that error, though. The Steelers' defense got him the ball back, and from there he used his mobility to get Pittsburgh into field-goal range with a couple of scrambles.
MORE: Steelers' Mike Tomlin explains why Trubisky leads QB competition
As the clock ticked down, Pickett found Tyler Vaughns open on the right sideline. He delivered yet another strike. Vaughns then eluded his defender for a go-ahead 24-yard touchdown with three seconds remaining.
TOUCHDOWN @STEELERS. @kennypickett10's TD pass in the final seconds puts Pittsburgh ahead!📺: #SEAvsPIT on @NFLNetwork (check local listings)📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/cINB23wRfG pic.twitter.com/QezXd8IFcl— NFL (@NFL)
Pickett finished 13 of 15 for 98 yards and two touchdowns passing. He added 16 yards on three rushes.
He didn't take a lot of chances downfield, but he showed high-level accuracy and ball placement. He also didn't turn the ball over, which is a major accomplishment for a rookie.
Tomlin acknowledged in his postgame news conference that he was pleased with Pickett's performance.
"You know he moved his group," Tomlin said. "He played situational football; he displayed a competitive spirit; a lot of good things to build on from a first performance standpoint."
Pickett backed up Tomlin's assertion in the offseason that he is pro-ready, which will certainly help him in the battle for the starting job. He will now look to climb the depth chart and earn first-half reps for the Steelers' game vs. the Jaguars in preseason Week 2.
