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Colbert defends selecting Pickett

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by Blast Furnace, Jun 20, 2026 at 2:30 PM.

  1. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    If he truly believed this, he never would have moved on from him so fast.
     
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  2. Steelersfan43

    Steelersfan43 Well-Known Member

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    Colbert had a hall of fame caliber career with us but he had also a poor finish in the last 5 years,from 2018 to 2022.
     
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  3. jeh1856

    jeh1856 I’ll eat turds in the field but not a fresh pea

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    Colbert lost credibility at “He is a competitor..”

    Might as well have said he has big hands

    You can’t avoid the facts
     
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  4. NorthernBlitz

    NorthernBlitz Well-Known Member

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    This is a delusional take by Colbert.

    Or at least it would be if he believed what he was saying.

    I can't believe that he does.

    If we're being charitable, I suppose we could chalk this up to him not wanting to talk **** about a guy that he probably personally likes (even though he was a disappointment as a QB).
     
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  5. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    I doubt Cobert buys into what he is saying either, but I'm not as charitable in my reasoning. He is defending his own legacy, which includes many great years, but some lousy ones at the end.

    At least the writer of the article is smarter than the folks here who don't understand the disaster of a situation they put Pickett in during his time as a Steeler. They pretty much tanked any shot he had at being a quality starter in the NFL. Calling NFL players competitors is empty nonsense. With rare exceptions like Anthony Richardson, they are all competitors. Pickett being a competitor got him traded out of Pittsburgh. They wanted to go after Fields, and Pickett gave them an excuse by reacting angrily when they handed the job to Russell Wilson rather than allowing Pickett to compete for it. I think Tomlin had this delusion that they could fix Fields, which worked out as poorly as expected. I also think maybe Tomlin figured out that Pickett can't stay healthy sooner than others realized it.

    Of course, there was always a part of the Steelers fanbase that was going to hate the guy for having played at Pitt. You would think they would want what was best for the Steelers no matter what, but I guess not.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2026 at 10:45 PM
  6. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    I was always under the impression that Tomlin made more about Pickett than Colbert did. That said, given how adamant Colbert was about wanting to leave Pittsburgh in a good spot considering that 2022 was his last season, Colbert had more influence there. Regardless, Pickett didn't pan out; simple as that.


    That said, Pickett had a horrific supporting cast marred by the most Offensively Offensive Coordinator in Matt Canada. That hire was 100% on Tomlin. Canada getting fired was and still is seismic given how comically seldom Pittsburgh fires their Coaches.


    Last Coach of any kind to get fired was during World War II; over four generations ago. :eek:
     
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  7. Steelvision

    Steelvision Well-Known Member

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    The writer is wrong when he says KP did nothing to elevate the team in 23. He beat the bengals and wasnt given a chance after that.

    i agree it was a no win situation in Pittsburgh for any Qb with Canada at the controls. And I agree with Colbert, KP can do well if put in the right situation, but in the meantime his confidence has likely taken a hit and his injuries are raking up and can take a toll on him. Success may not happen.
     
  8. Steelvision

    Steelvision Well-Known Member

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    I think Tomlin was desperate to save his legacy and get to the playoffs at any cost and gambled on MR. He was thinking short term gain and didnt give much importance to KP’s long term career in Pittsburgh. And he didnt seem to have any reliable staff who could give him advice on KP’s development abilities…there was who? Canada? Lol

    and glad we’ve turned a new leaf on both canada and tomlin
     
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  9. Bubbahotep

    Bubbahotep Well-Known Member

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    The entire offense was designed around "QB, don't lose the game". This wasn't a bad thing for a rookie. Put Pickett on a team that had a high first round pick and he wouldn't have won half the games that he did. Canada was terrible but Pickett had his flaws.

    [​IMG]
     
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  10. strummerfan

    strummerfan Well-Known Member

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    He didnt move on from pickett. Pickett asked to be traded
     
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  11. Rollers

    Rollers Well-Known Member

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    I think the Marino pick a long time ago had a lot to do with him taking Pickett. Marino was sitting there and they put credence into the rumors about him. That Marino pick cost the Steelers a LOT of missed opportunities to win some superbowls. No way they were passing on another QB from Pitt.
     
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  12. Rollers

    Rollers Well-Known Member

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    Always wondered why he wanted a trade after the Steelers signed Wilson. Must have been pretty fragile
     
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  13. jeh1856

    jeh1856 I’ll eat turds in the field but not a fresh pea

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    Not exactly a competitor

    5 teams in 4 years and yet the Steelers were the problem :lollmao: and one or two people on earth believe this
     
  14. NorthernBlitz

    NorthernBlitz Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunately for Kenny, I think it's possible (probable I think) that the ultra-conservative Steelers offense was the best fit for him. This system was able to get guys like Duck, Mitch, Kenny, and Mason to at least say they could win games in the NFL. Because it did a good job overcoming poor QB play by eliminating opportunities for big errors and letting the D carry the QB to victory.

    If it was only the result of a bad situation he had here, then he probably wouldn't have been past by the QB3 on the Eagles, Browns, and Raiders (as well as the Steelers).

    This is something I got wrong. When he left the Steelers, I was pretty sure that he'd end up being an average to above average backup QB.

    He seems like a good kid. But he's not a good football player (by NFL standards). The Panthers are probably his last chance to make it in the league as a career backup.
     
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  15. Bubbahotep

    Bubbahotep Well-Known Member

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    Well, sorta. Per another poster, Colbert/Tomlin could well have been within their rights to tell Pickett to sit down and shut up. You are under contract. They probably realized Pickett wasn't worth that fight and jumped on the opportunity that Pickett gave them. I mean, a third round pick (plus a couple of late rounders) for a QB that will end up out of the league in a few seasons? Take it! Those picks got the Steelers Payton Wilson, Carson Bruener, and Donte Kent.

    Still have to partially blame the scouting (or did Rooney pull rank and tell them to draft 'the local boy'?? Guess we'll have to wait for Rooney's bio to know.).
     

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