Tim Benz: Kenny Pickett's Super Bowl quotes create interesting Steelers QB hypothetical

Former Pittsburgh Steeler Kenny Pickett is at the Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback.

During an interview with SteelersNow.com in New Orleans, Pickett had this to say about his experience with the Eagles so far.

“Every place does it differently, but the ultimate goal is to be (at the Super Bowl),” Pickett said. “There’s different ways to get here. I think this team, this franchise, has a really good plan (for) trying to get here. Seeing the way guys show up to work every day, there’s really no distractions. Guys are locked in, and there’s no secret as to why we’re here. We’ve got good players that show up to work.”

No distractions? Guys are “locked in?” Guys show up for work?

Wow, what’s that like?

Presumably, they even show up for work on Christmas morning on time for a game? 

Well, Pickett didn’t get into that. He did, however, express one regret.

“I’m grateful for all the people I’ve met (in Pittsburgh). I wish it would have ended differently,” Pickett said. “But I’m here now, and I’m really excited to be at this game.”

When Pickett says, “I wish it would have ended differently,” he does know that he’s the one who ended it, right? He’s the one that wanted a trade after the Steelers signed Russell Wilson in March.

Indeed. It could’ve ended differently. In theory.

Pickett could’ve stayed in Pittsburgh. Maybe he goes 4-2 like Justin Fields did after Wilson got hurt in training camp. And maybe he is in line to be the Steelers’ starter in 2025.

Is that totally outlandish to believe? I don’t think so.

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In his six starts, Fields threw for five touchdowns and one interception. He threw for 1,106 yards and completed 66.2% of his passes. He also ran for five scores and put up 231 yards on the ground while taking 16 sacks.

In his first six starts of 2023 with the Steelers, Pickett was also 4-2, took 16 sacks and threw for five touchdowns.

He threw for a few more yards (1,257), had a slightly lower completion percentage (60.8) and only ran for one touchdown and 12 total yards.

So the difference between the two isn’t as much as perhaps our memories make it out to be.

Granted, Pickett is in a better seat right now. He might get a Super Bowl ring as a backup. But next year, he won’t be the starter in Philly. Barring a significant injury, Jalen Hurts will be.

Given the circumstances I just laid out above, it’s not insane to suggest that Pickett could’ve been atop the depth chart in Pittsburgh to start 2025 if he stuck it out here and at least produced a reasonable facsimile of what Fields did.

After all, Fields might end up being that guy anyway. And he’s not even under contract right now.

Pickett is going to cost Philly only $2.62 million in salary next year. Spotrac projects Fields as being worth $6.4 million on the open market, which feels like a very low estimate to me. Regardless, the Steelers are going to have to pay more to retain Fields in 2025 than they would have to keep Pickett in the last year of his entry deal without the fifth-year extension.

Not that this scenario would be any good for the Steelers. If Pickett opened the 2025 season under center, you could definitely kiss Mike Tomlin’s non-losing season streak goodbye.

But we might be doing that with Fields too.

Either way, good luck, Kenny. “Show up to work” and get that ring without having to fill in for Hurts on Sunday.

No sense picking up an extra smack to the head from Kansas City’s Chris Jones on another “tush push.”

LISTEN: Soren Petro of Sports Radio 810WHBV in K.C. joins Tim Benz to preview the Super Bowl.