His Former GM Called Kenny Pickett "Trending Right" at 14-10, and Fans Should Be Stunned

Alright, 12s, buckle up, 'cause sometimes you hear stuff from around the league that just makes you scratch your head. We're here, early in the season, watching our Seahawks, our Mariners, our Kraken fight it out, and you're always thinking about talent, right? Who's the real deal, who's got that "it" factor? Well, an old ghost from the draft past just reappeared with a take so wild, it’s got us thinking about how GMs really evaluate talent.

Seriously, 14-10 Was The Right Direction?

Remember when the Steelers were looking for their next franchise QB after Ben Roethlisberger hung up his cleats? It’s a situation every team dreads, right? They had their guy, Kenny Pickett, with the 20th overall pick. But get this, before Terry Bradshaw finished his career, they passed on a legend, Dan Marino, at 21st overall. Fast forward, and after just two seasons, Pickett was out the door. Traded! Yet, earlier this week, former Steelers G.M. Kevin Colbert went on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh and actually *defended* that decision. He told Jack Markowski of SI.com, and I quote, "We projected Kenny to be a start-and-win NFL quarterback, and quite honestly, he lived up to that in his first two seasons with us. For us, he was 14-10 and trending in the right direction." I mean, come on, 14-10 and "trending in the right direction" for a first-round QB after only two years? That’s a tough sell for any fan base, especially when you're talking about the guy you picked to lead your team for the next decade.

From Philly Ring to Panther Backup, Fast

So, if he was "trending in t

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he right direction," what happened next for Pickett? Colbert, who retired *before* the trade, obviously didn't have to make the call. But the Steelers sure did. After those two seasons, Pickett was shipped off to the Eagles for 2024. And get this: in Philadelphia, he actually snagged a Super Bowl ring. Marino never got one of those, right? Then, in 2025, it was another move, first to the Browns, then the Raiders. And now? Pickett's currently sitting on the Panthers’ depth chart, playing backup to Bryce Young. Talk about a whirlwind. It’s a stark reminder that even the most confident projections can go sideways in the blink of an eye. You see a guy with a "winning record" for two seasons, and suddenly he's been on four teams in three years. It really shows you how quickly things can shift in the league, even for a first-round talent. Look, whether it’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba making plays, Sam Darnold finding his rhythm, or Julio Rodriguez smashing homers, we’re always looking for those early signs of greatness, that "trending in the right direction" for *our* guys. But seeing a former GM stand by a pick that resulted in two quick trades and a backup spot, well, it’s a good lesson. Every snap, every at-bat, every shift on the ice matters. We want to see genuine development, not just stats that *sound* good on paper but don't hold up. So, as we watch our teams battle through the early season, let's keep our eyes peeled for who's *really* trending up, who's putting in the work, and who's got that true Seattle grit. The stakes are always high for these players, and for us, the fans, who live and die with every game. Let's go Hawks, Mariners, Kraken, and Sounders! Always!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.