Kenny Pickett

Kenneth Pickett (born June 6, 1998) is an American professional football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2021, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. Pickett spent two seasons as the Steelers' primary starter, helping lead the team to a playoff appearance in 2023. Due to inconsistent play, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent one season as a backup and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LIX. He joined the Raiders in 2025.

Early life

Pickett was born in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, New Jersey. He attended Ocean Township High School and graduated in 2017. Pickett led the Ocean Township Spartans to the New Jersey Central Group III semifinal game as a junior, leading his team to a 9–2 record. 247Sports ranked Pickett as the No. 23 overall high school football player in New Jersey in his senior year. During his high school career, Pickett passed for 4,670 yards with 43 touchdowns and rushed for 873 yards and 17 touchdowns. He originally committed to play college football at Temple University, but changed his commitment to the University of Pittsburgh.

College career

Pickett spent most of his true freshman season at Pittsburgh in 2017 as a backup to Max Browne and Ben DiNucci. He started his first career game in Pittsburgh's final game of the season against the second ranked Miami Hurricanes. During the team's upset victory, Pickett completed 18-of-29 passes for 193 yards with a touchdown and also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the season completing 39-of-66 passes for 509 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.