Terry Bradshaw Says Kenny Pickett Should Be Steelers' QB1 Amid Russell Wilson Rumors

Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers Terry Bradshaw believes the team should stick with Kenny Pickett as QB1 next season despite struggles in his second season in the NFL.

Bradshaw, making an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, vouched for Pickett to be Pittsburgh's QB1 again next year.

"I love Pickett," Bradshaw said. "I know him well and he's fiercely competitive, he's a tough-minded kid, things don't bother him. I really like him a lot. I'm going to say this for the 10,000th time this year. Surround—not only Kenny—but any of these young quarterbacks, the kid with the Bears, surround them with talent."

The declaration for Pickett to stick around as quarterback comes amid rumors that the Steelers could be going in an entirely different direction next season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last week that Pittsburgh could go after Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill or Justin Fields this offseason to replace Pickett.

Bradshaw believes Pickett is the right choice, however.

"He's fine, he's their guy," Bradshaw said. "There's probably going to be a lot of negative about him, but that's the guy I would go with."

Bradshaw believes there is a solution to Pickett's early-career struggles, and it is the Steelers' responsibility to find it. He said that if Pittsburgh can surround Pickett with the right players, the quarterback will blossom.

"Stay with what you got," Bradshaw said. "Build him up, get him a receiver, get him an explosive tight end, get him another tackle, give him a guard. Have the ability to protect him and then get him guys on the outside. This is a passing league now, get him people out there that can run and catch the football and that are smart."

In his second NFL campaign, Pickett threw for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 games. While his numbers weren't drastically worse than his rookie year when he threw for 2,404 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions, the lack of progression was enough for the Steelers to question if he is the right fit moving forward.

The Steelers turned to Mason Rudolph under center down the stretch last season, and he threw for 716 yards and three touchdowns in three starts, with the Steelers winning each game to reach the playoffs.

Rudolph threw for 229 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.

Bradshaw, who took snaps for the Steelers from 1970 to 1983 and led them to four Super Bowls, has made his declaration for who Pittsburgh should have as QB1. Now, it's up to the Steelers to decide on their starting quarterback.