Kenny Pickett Was 14-10 and Won a Ring: And a Former GM Still Says He 'Lived Up To It'

Alright, 12s, buckle up, because the NFL rumor mill is always spinning, and sometimes a story drops that just makes you scratch your head. We're talking about a former Pittsburgh Steelers GM, Kevin Colbert, who just went on record, on Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan, defending a draft pick that feels like a lifetime ago now. Kenny Pickett, the quarterback they famously "punted" on after just two seasons, apparently "lived up to" everything they expected. Seriously? The guy got drafted, got traded, won a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles in 2024, bounced to the Raiders in 2025, and now he’s chilling behind Bryce Young on the Panthers’ depth chart. And Colbert is out here saying he was exactly what they thought he'd be. The audacity!

From Ben's Shadow to The Eagles' Ring

Remember when the Steelers were looking for their next franchise QB after Ben Roethlisberger hung up his cleats? It felt like deja vu all over again, right? Decades earlier, before Terry Bradshaw finished his legendary career, they had the chance to snag Pitt's own Dan Marino with the 21st overall pick. They passed on that one. Fast forward to the immediate aftermath of Roethlisberger's final game, and what did they do? They "pounced" on another Pitt product, Kenny Pickett, with the 20th overall selection. You'd think they learned their lesson about local talent, but this time, they went all in. Colbert, who retired before Pickett was shipped off, stands by that call. He told SI.com's Jack Markowski, “We projected Kenny t

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o 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. So that’s what we thought we had in Kenny.” A 14-10 record over two seasons isn't terrible, but it clearly wasn't enough for the Steelers, who decided to move on.

The Wild Journey Since Pittsburgh

"Trending in the right direction" must be in the eye of the beholder, because after those two seasons, Pickett was out. But here's the kicker, the part that probably makes Steelers fans' heads explode: after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, Pickett actually snagged a Super Bowl ring in 2024. Can you even imagine that? The guy they punted, winning a championship with another squad, unlike the legendary Marino who never got one. Wild stuff. That ring must feel pretty good, even if he was only there for a year. Then came another whirlwind, a trade to the Browns, and then quickly to the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2025 season. It's been a ride, to say the least. Now, as we kick off this NFL regular season, Pickett is hanging out in Carolina, listed on the Panthers' depth chart, backing up Bryce Young. What a career arc so far, right? As 12s, we know the pressure of draft picks and the rollercoaster rides players take. This Pickett saga is a wild one, proving that sometimes, even if a team gives up on you, opportunity can still knock, and rings can still be won. The football world is always full of surprises, and we’re here for all of it. Keep an eye on Carolina, folks. You never know what's next in this league.

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