Kenny Pickett dropped back into a collapsing pocket as the Jets blitzed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie quarterback on third-and-eight at the Jets’ 20-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Just before he was driven to the turf by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, Pickett fired the ball to tight end Pat Freiermuth at the 2-yard line.
MORE: WHY STEELERS CHOSE PICKETT: ‘THERE’S NO PANIC’ IN HIM
As he climbed to his feet and the home crowd roared, Pickett, who was making his NFL debut, looked at Williams and laughed, then looked at linebacker Bryce Huff, who had blitzed on the play and smiled.
The Pickett Era has begun.
On the next play, Pickett muscled into the end zone for his second touchdown since relieving benched starter Mitch Trubisky, giving the Steelers a 20-10 lead with 13:31 remaining in the game.
The Steelers gave the lead away and lost, 24-20, but Pickett — the Steelers’ first-round pick who grew up in Ocean Township, N.J. — likely took the job Sunday. Pickett, who probably should’ve won the starting job with his performance in the preseason, completed 10-of-13 passes for 120 yards. Pickett was charged with three interceptions — two on tipped balls and another on a final-play Hail Mary.
Jets safety Jordan Whitehead took the ball away from wide receiver Chase Claypool on Pickett’s first series of the game in the third quarter, and a high sideline pass came off Freiermuth’s hands and was intercepted by safety Michael Carter in the fourth quarter.
Pickett, taken 20th overall by the Steelers as the heir apparent to the retired Ben Roethlisberger, received a massive ovation from the Acrisure Stadium crowd. Pickett starred in the same stadium while playing for the University of Pittsburgh.
Trubisky, signed to a two-year deal in March, completed 7 of 13 yards for 84 yards with an interception in the first half. He was drilled by New York defensive lineman Carl Lawson while throwing a desperation pass to end the first half.
The pass was intercepted but was called back when Lawson was flagged for a late hit. The penalty allowed Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell to hit a career-best 59-yard field goal on the final play of the half.
The team made no injury announcement on Trubisky, who walked onto the field in a baseball cap to start the second half.
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