Kenny Pickett to Be Steelers' QB1 for 2024, Will Face Competition, Mike Tomlin Says

While Mason Rudolph started down the stretch for the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike Tomlin said Kenny Pickett is the first-string quarterback going into the 2024 campaign.

Tomlin told reporters as much Thursday but noted the plan is for Pickett to face competition. The Steelers would like for Rudolph to provide the competition, but Tomlin pointed out "he's a free agent."

The coach also said "yes" when asked if next season's starting quarterback is currently on the roster.

That would seemingly rule out Pittbsurgh selecting a quarterback with the No. 20 overall pick or perhaps trading for someone like Justin Fields, but it should be noted that Tomlin saying the plan is to find someone not on the roster at this point would hurt the team's leverage in any negotiations.

If other teams know the Steelers believe they need a quarterback and aren't comfortable starting Pickett, they could demand more in trade discussions for a current signal-caller or a higher pick if the AFC North club is looking to move up on draft day.

Perhaps the Steelers will run things back with Pickett in the hopes he takes another step in his third season.

The good news is the 2022 first-round pick is 14-10 as a starter in his first two seasons. However, he has also been quite inconsistent in terms of individual production while completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Inconsistent quarterback play was an issue all season for the Steelers, as Mitch Trubisky struggled with four touchdown passes to five interceptions before Rudolph started and won the final three regular-season games.

Yet Rudolph's run came to an end in the Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills thanks in part to the interception he threw in the end zone as his team dug an early hole.

Pittsburgh is in a division with Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson and will be playing catch-up at the quarterback position with Pickett or Rudolph under center. That puts plenty of pressure on the other positions, although the Steelers were still able to play well enough as a team to make the playoffs this past season.

Winning close games and relying on the defense in critical moments might be the formula again in 2024.