Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is already making a huge impact even if he hasn’t stepped foot on an NFL field.
Well, technically he has because he played his collegiate football games with the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium (formerly known as Heinz Field).
But the pro league does not recognize those games, especially because he was selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Steelers have high expectations for him after he became the only quarterback selected in the first round.
They see him as Ben Roethlisberger‘s potential successor, which is a huge void to fill.
Yet even if he hasn’t taken an NFL snap, his jersey is already selling like hotcakes.
The best-selling NFL jerseys this offseason 💰 pic.twitter.com/JCT1Oer0OE
— PFF (@PFF) July 11, 2022
Pro Football Focus shared the top-selling jerseys this offseason and Pickett is at number four, one spot in front of Tom Brady.
It helps that the same crowd who cheered for him in college will be offering the same support as he plays for the Steelers.
It’s also understandable that Russell Wilson and Davante Adams made the list because both of them switched teams.
It’s no surprise either that eight of the ten players on the list are quarterbacks because they are the most familiar players in the league.
The other non-quarterback, Cooper Kupp, got a boost in sales after winning Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl LVI MVP last season.
Pickett Has To Fight For The Starting Role
Despite the accolades and achievements he compiled in college, Pickett will have to contend for the starting role with Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky.
Trubisky will be his toughest competitor because he has experience as a starter for the Chicago Bears.
But Pickett could prove that he is Big Ben’s rightful heir because he is used to playing on the Steelers’ home turf.
Therefore, he won’t have stage fright when asked to perform under the bright lights and the massive crowd.
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