Steelers GM Khan: I have 'full faith' in Pickett

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan remains confident that quarterback Kenny Pickett has a bright future.

"I have full faith in Kenny," Khan told reporters Thursday, including ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "He's shown us some good things, and, obviously, there were some issues with the offense."

The 2022 first-round pick failed to take a leap in 2023 after showing flashes of promise during his rookie campaign. He threw for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions, along with a 62% completion rate, in 2023. Pickett played just 12 games due to an ankle injury and lost his starting job to Mason Rudolph after being cleared to return to action ahead of Week 17.

Pickett has posted a 14-10 record as a starter while recording 4,474 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 78.8 quarterback rating through his first two seasons.

However, Khan is optimistic that new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will benefit both Pickett and the Steelers' offense.

"I'm excited about the impact that Arthur Smith's going to have on him," Khan said. "Arthur's very optimistic about Kenny. ... Feel really good about him."

Pickett is Pittsburgh's only passer under contract with Rudolph an unrestricted free agent and Mitch Trubisky being released earlier this month. Yet Khan echoed head coach Mike Tomlin and his wish to bring in competition for the starting position.

"(I) feel really good about Kenny, but he knows, and we all know, that there's going to be competition in the room," Khan said, according to team reporter Dale Lolley. "We've always been a team that keeps three quarterbacks, and I'd expect that to be the same this year."

Khan expressed a desire to bring back Rudolph, but he wouldn't say whether the Steelers could target passers such as Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, per Pryor.

"I have an obligation to look at every avenue that's out there to try to make us a better football team," he said.