Kevin Colbert's 14-10 Defense For Kenny Pickett Is a Brutal NFL Reality Check
Alright, you guys gotta hear this because it's the kind of talk that makes you wanna pull your hair out as a fan! Former Steelers G.M. Kevin Colbert just went on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh this week and tried to defend the decision to draft Kenny Pickett. Yeah, that Kenny Pickett. The one who's currently sitting behind Bryce Young on the Panthers' depth chart. And honestly, his reasoning is a stark reminder about how tough this league is and how fast things can change.
"He Was 14-10 and Trending Right" and Other Fun Facts
Colbert, who retired before the Steelers made the call to trade Pickett, said they "projected Kenny to be a start-and-win NFL quarterback." He then doubled down, claiming Pickett "lived up to that in his first two seasons with us." Here's the kicker: Colbert's big defense for their top draft pick is that "for us, he was 14-10 and trending in the right direction." Like, seriously? We all know how much a QB's win-loss record can be a team stat, but for a GM to hang his hat on that after a guy's been punted by his original team, bounced through two others, and is now a backup? It's wild. It feels like a fan trying to rationalize a bad trade with old memories.
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From Roethlisberger's Shadow to Roaming the League
The whole situation gets even wilder when you look at the history. The Steelers passed on Pitt product Dan Marino with the 21st pick way back when Terry Bradshaw was finishing up his career. Fast forward to the end of Ben Roethlisberger's legendary run, and what do they do? They pounced on another Pitt product, Kenny Pickett, with the 20th overall selection. And after only two seasons, they punted on him, trading him away. While Colbert touts Pickett's 14-10 record in Pittsburgh, the reality is Pickett spent 2024 in Philadelphia, where he actually snagged a Super Bowl ring, ironically something Marino never got. Then he bounced to Las Vegas in 2025, after being traded to the Browns and then the Raiders. Now, he's just another name on a depth chart.
The Echoes of Draft Day Decisions
This whole saga with Pickett and Colbert's defense hits different when you think about how much rides on those early draft picks. Every team, every fan base, holds their breath when that top guy gets called. You can have all the projections in the world, but the NFL moves fast. What looks like "trending in the right direction" in the moment can turn into a cross-country tour in a blink. It just shows you how much pressure is on our guys like Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Rashid Shaheed to make those early season reps count. Every snap is a chance to prove you're the real deal and not just a good projection.
So, as we gear up for another week of NFL action, keep those eyes peeled. Every game, every performance, starts painting the picture of who's truly building something special. We're looking at you, Coach Macdonald, and the entire Seahawks squad. Let's see what statements get made on the field next.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.