Kevin Colbert defends the Steelers’ decision to draft Kenny Pickett

Former Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert defended the franchise’s choice to draft quarterback Kenny Pickett, a decision that continues to draw scrutiny as the Steelers pursue long-term stability at the position. Colbert’s comments come against a backdrop of an extended search for a successor to Ben Roethlisberger, who retired after the 2021 season.

Roethlisberger’s retirement left a clear gap in the Steelers’ quarterback picture, and the organization has spent the years since trying to establish a consistent identity at the most important spot on the field. Pickett, selected in the era when Colbert was still leading the team’s draft process, became the centerpiece of that transition, even as expectations have often been framed through the lens of immediate results.

In defending the Pickett pick, Colbert positioned the selection as part of a broader evaluation and organizational need, rather than as a gamble that should be judged only by short-term outcomes. The former GM’s stance reflects a common front-office reality in the NFL, where teams can recognize talent but still face the difficult combination of development time, roster context, and the demands of a young quarterback learning quickly.

The Steelers’ quarterback search is also tied to the timing of the roster rebuild. When a franchise is moving on from a long-tenured starter, the next draft class is often tasked with carrying both present expectations and future hope. Pickett’s selection represented the Steelers trying to solve that issue by investing a premium roster spot in a young passer, with the understanding that quarterback growth is rarely linear.

Colbert’s defense does not erase the fact that quarterback choices can be evaluated only in hindsight, and supporters of any pick are usually forced to confront questions that fans and analysts ask about fit, readiness, and return on investment. Still, by publicly backing the decision, Colbert added his perspective to a debate that has lingered since the Steelers moved into their post-Roethlisberger era.

For the Steelers, the takeaway is not just about one draft choice, but about how the organization will continue to balance patience with urgency. The next steps in the quarterback storyline, including how the Steelers build around their starter and how quickly they can create a reliable offensive rhythm, will determine whether Colbert’s defense reads as vindication or simply an argument rooted in process.