The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in search of their next franchise signal-caller since the retirement of legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In 2022, they drafted Kenny Pickett with the 20th overall pick, hoping he could fill Roethlisberger’s shoes and become the future of the franchise. However, Pickett’s performance, while yielding some victories, has raised questions about his ability to lead the team in challenging situations.

While Pickett has shown his knack for pulling off victories in closely contested matchups, he has faced challenges when the Steelers fall behind by two touchdowns or more. It often seems that once the team falls into such a deficit, their chances of a comeback are impossible. In the NFL, comebacks are a somewhat frequent occurrence, but with this team, Steelers fans have witnessed a lack of such rallies when Pickett is at the helm.

Pickett possesses the ability to win close games and deliver in clutch moments, particularly in the fourth quarter. Yet, when we examine his overall stats, they fail to paint the picture of a future star. In his relatively short career, Pickett has thrown for 4,474 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions—numbers that fall short of the expectations for a franchise quarterback.

However, it’s just his second year in the league, so he could still develop into an air raid threat under the right system. It’s been hard for Steelers fans to evaluate Pickett under this system. No one really knows if the Steelers are winning because of Pickett or in spite of him.

The Steelers Could Pursue Geno Smith
ESPN’s renowned sportswriter, Bill Barnwell, recently delved into the Steelers’ quarterback situation and proposed an intriguing scenario. He suggested that the Steelers could explore a trade for Geno Smith, the current quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. Barnwell’s reasoning centers on the Steelers’ quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan, who has a history with Smith.

“Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan served as the offensive coordinator for the Broncos in 2018, and his starter there was Case Keenum. He was also the offensive coordinator for the Giants during the Ben McAdoo era, when the backup for Eli Manning was current Seahawks starter Geno Smith. Smith isn’t a free agent, but if the Seahawks make a change at quarterback, I wonder if the Steelers would consider trading for him.”

Barnwell’s proposal hinges on the notion that the Seahawks might be open to a quarterback change. Smith, once considered a promising young prospect, saw his career take a different trajectory when he struggled and became a career backup. However, he has experienced a resurgence in Seattle after they traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in 2022.

Although Smith had an impressive year in 2022, he has faced some setbacks in 2023, including an injury that allowed the emergence of 27-year-old Drew Lock as a competitive option. Lock just led the Seahawks on a game-winning drive that resulted in a touchdown on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.

While the Seahawks may not be actively looking to move on from Smith, the emergence of Lock suggests they might be heading for a quarterback competition when Smith is back to full health. In such a scenario, Barnwell’s suggestion of a trade between the Steelers and Seahawks for Smith becomes plausible.

At 33 years old, Smith still has some prime years of football ahead of him, barring injuries. While it may not be a likely move for the Steelers, it presents an intriguing option. Instead of investing a valuable draft pick in what is considered one of the best quarterback drafts in decades, the team could acquire a seasoned veteran like Smith.

Benefitting Kenny Pickett’s Development
The addition of Smith to the roster could also relieve some of the pressure on Pickett. Pickett, still in the early stages of his career, has faced challenging circumstances in Pittsburgh. Having a veteran presence like Smith could provide him with valuable mentorship and allow him to develop at a more comfortable pace.

While the Steelers have shown loyalty to Pickett, exploring options like acquiring Smith could provide a safety net and the opportunity for Pickett to grow without the immediate pressure of being the sole starter. Regardless of the path they choose, it is evident that the Steelers should be actively considering their quarterback situation and the best way to secure a prosperous future at the position.