Latest news with #Pickett
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Kenny Pickett named Steelers' clear-cut leader as Pittsburgh ushers in new chapter
(Image via Getty: Kenny Pickett) Kenny Pickett, the next Pittsburgh homeboy, was supposed to be the guy. A University of Pittsburgh icon, the 2022 draft pick injected optimism into a Steelers franchise after Ben Roethlisberger, which was in dire need of defining itself. And yet, with the 2025 NFL season on the doorstep, it's not Pickett calling the shots in the Steel City. Well, times change, and the Pickett story has taken an unexpected turn. Instead of taking Pittsburgh to war this year, Pickett is wearing orange and brown, dressing up as the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers' greatest nemesis. It's a surprise no one foresaw. Kenny Pickett's NFL career hits an unexpected detour Pickett followed a record-breaking near-perfection of the University of Pittsburgh's top passing records. It was more than 12,000 career passing yards and then-legendary 42-touchdown season as a senior in 2021. He was selected 20th overall by the Steelers in 2022. He was a starter in a few games and, for a time, looked to be growing into the Steelers' answer for quarterback long-term. In two seasons, he was 15–10 as a starter, demonstrating moments of composure and fourth-quarter strength. But with just 13 touchdown passes to 13 interceptions and a passer rating of 78.8, doubts started to creep in as to whether he could ever make that next step. The questions were answered in March 2024, when the Steelers traded Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a shock move, not necessarily because of his hometown roots, but because it appeared to indicate that Pittsburgh was ready to move on cleanly. Again, though, in March 2025, he was traded. But to the Cleveland Browns, which stages one of the more intriguing quarterback battles in the NFL. Pickett is walking into a rich and dynamic QB room in Cleveland that features: Deshaun Watson , recovering from a second ruptured Achilles. Joe Flacco , the veteran who fueled a Browns playoff push in 2024. Shedeur Sanders , the extravagant rookie and former Colorado star. Dillon Gabriel, the other hyped rookie of the 2025 class. It's now or never. Pickett is just 26 and still possesses the skills that initially saw him drafted in the top 20. Specifically, his powerful right arm, lightning-speed feet, and leadership. But he's fighting for a spot on a talent-laden depth chart with no guarantee. Also Read: Kenny Pickett may be the odd man out from the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition | NFL News - Times of India Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Maybe drive to a fork in the road? Idaho reintroduces ‘famous' license plate
Idaho is going retro. The state is bringing back its 1950s-era 'World Famous Potatoes' license plate, in part to help promote agriculture programs. Sleek in its black-and-white design, this plate gives Idahoans the option to personalize their vehicle while supporting the Idaho Potato Commission and highway infrastructure. The plate will cost $70, in addition to any registration fees for its initial issuance. Of this, $45 is allocated to state highway infrastructure and $25 to agricultural promotions through the commission, according to its president and CEO, Jamey Higham. It will be available to purchase starting June 18, according to a press release. 'It's a little more expensive than the usual plate that you get,' Higham said. 'The money to help with roads and stuff through the transportation department, and some of the money will also go to helping promote research for potatoes in our industry within the commission.' The bill to reboot the plate was sponsored by Rep. Douglas Pickett, an Oakley Republican and rancher, and was introduced on Feb. 11. It passed the House and Senate with no opposition. 'It was really easy to actually build a consensus for it, and kind of exciting to see such widespread support for something like that,' Pickett told the Idaho Statesman. Demand for a black license plate has been high in Idaho, according to Pickett and Higham, and they both said they've received good feedback regarding the resurgence of the 'World Famous Potatoes' plate. 'We've been thinking about it for a couple of years, and we actually had quite a few requests to have a black license plate because it's starting to be popular all over the West,' Higham said. Pickett said there was 'a lot of demand' to have a black plate. 'People like to personalize their vehicle, it's sort of a personal expression,' he said. Higham says he has gotten 'overwhelmingly positive' comments about the license plate. Pickett said there could be some apprehension to purchase it because Idahoans believe that areas funded by the other available plates could lose money when they drop those. 'There was a little concern about competition with the Idaho heritage plate. ... But at the end of the day, it boiled down to what people actually want, and people actually decided to have an alternative, and so I think it's important to give people those options,' Pickett said. The plate for the Idaho Heritage Trust helps support historic preservation efforts in the state. Pickett and Higham both said the 'World Famous Potatoes' license plate is what Idaho is all about. 'Our population is increasingly urban, but yet our interest in our identity as the home of the world famous Idaho potatoes remains intact, and people still identify with that as Idahoans,' Pickett said. 'It's just something that I think is kind of nostalgic for Idahoans to reflect back on a plate from the past.' Both men said they think it will be well-received. 'We have a lot of other great industries in Idaho, we really do, but somehow the potatoes have been kind of the iconic one that people recognize us for,' Higham said.
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Shedeur Sanders, Kevin Stefanski could be ideal QB-coach pairing
"He's probably exceeded that," Pickett said June 11. The Browns will need Stefanski to keep doing that if the front office believes the quarterback of the future is currently on the roster in either third-round pick Dillon Gabriel or fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders. Stefanski sits in every quarterback meeting and will resume play-calling duties for the 2025 season after he handed the role briefly to former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey halfway through last year. Dorsey is no longer with the Browns, and Tommy Rees was promoted to offensive coordinator, with Bill Musgrave as the quarterbacks coach. "The knowledge of his system, that he's been in for a long time and how he understands quarterback play and what it's like to be back there and the clock that we're on and what we have to do to be successful," Pickett said. "It's been awesome." A history of QB success under Stefanski Stefanski spent most of his coaching career with the Minnesota Vikings and spent time with multiple position groups on offense, at one point serving as the tight ends coach and running backs coach. But from 2009-13, his first on-field role was as assistant quarterbacks coach. He overlapped with Brett Favre for the first two of those seasons, when the gunslinger led the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game (2009) and finished fourth in MVP voting at 40 years old. Stefanksi worked his way back to the quarterbacks room, this time as the quarterbacks coach in 2017, when Case Keenum had his best year as a professional and the Vikings went to the NFC title game again. Kirk Cousins achieved the highest completion percentage of his career in 2018 (70.1%) and Stefanski became the offensive coordinator for the final three games of that season. In his first full season leading the offense, Stefanski's scheme helped Cousins make his second Pro Bowl. Once he became a head coach with Cleveland in 2020, he helped Baker Mayfield turn in his best years as a Brown, which led to the franchise's first playoff victory since 1994. But the defense has become Cleveland's calling card during Stefanski's Ohio tenure, despite the acquisition and payment of Deshaun Watson, whose suspension due to sexual harassment allegations and a series of injuries derailed the organization's short-term plans. The current quarterback contingent of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and the two rookies means it will be up to the coach to get the most out of what is there. How does Stefanksi's scheme fit Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel? Under center. Play action. Quick reads. That's the way of a Stefanski offense. And if he'll once again assume more control of the philosophy and its implementation, ESPN analyst Dan Orlvosky, said then Sanders is "perfect for it." "He's perfect for the under center, play-action, control the line of scrimmage, see the defense -- get from one, two, three, he's got to do it more quickly, but he's custom-made for that," Orlovsky said June 9 on "Get Up." Orlovsky added: "He's custom-made for that ... the way that he thinks, the way that he can see something on the board, take it to a walk-through, bring it to a practice that's (what you want to see)." Many of the questions from Gabriel or Sanders to the coaching staff or Pickett and Flacco - who played for Stefanski in 2023 as the Browns made the playoffs - have revolved around being under center at the line of scrimmage and the footwork required to drop back. But it's a requirement for Stefanski, who establishes the run and lets other concepts evolve from that. Stefanski claimed "we're so far away from that type of thought process" when it comes to choosing a starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Flacco is the odds-on favorite, but there will be an open competition come training camp. "Right now, that's not the focus," he said during team minicamp. Pretty soon though, it will be.
The Advertiser
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Pickett's contract an endorsement for Demons: Goodwin
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin only has to point to Kysaiah Pickett's re-signing to know the club is finally steadying the ship. After a thorough off-season examination of the club's culture, the Demons received the ultimate endorsement when in-demand forward Pickett committed to a seven-year contract extension. Pickett, 24, will remain at the club until at least the end of 2034 after signing a deal reportedly worth $12 million. Question marks over Melbourne emerged again after an on-field argument between captain Max Gawn and defender Steven May following their King's Birthday loss. The Demons have been rocked by a succession of off-field issues since the drought-breaking 2021 premiership. But Goodwin was confident Pickett's re-commitment showed the club had turned the corner. "It's a sign that we've got things in good order," Goodwin said on Friday. "It says a lot about our footy club, about where we're at and where we're going. "It's been a high talking point for a number of years now. "We've worked incredibly hard with 'Kozzy' to make this a place that he wants to be and sees a real future here at Melbourne. "He's always said for a long time that he loves the Melbourne Footy Club. "He's just had to spend some time adapting to the Melbourne way of living." Pickett's playing future at Melbourne had at times seemed untenable, given the 24-year-old's openness about struggling with homesickness since being drafted to the Demons in 2019. The subject of rampant trade speculation considering his family ties to Perth and Adelaide, Pickett had been heavily linked with a move to Fremantle. Gawn is well aware a long-term contract may not necessarily pay off, but affirmed the endorsement of Melbourne's culture. "The 'Kozzy' one is a no-brainer," Gawn told Triple M Melbourne. "I know in this world contracts can be a bit flimsy, but it shows the commitment from 'Koz' that he's keen to stay for the rest of his footballing life. "I'm going to take that." Goodwin, after addressing the team about the King's Birthday altercation, said Gawn and May had moved on from the one-point loss. Gawn had attempted to open up the play in the final 30 seconds, but instead gifted the ball to opponent Will Hoskin-Elliott. His mis-kick effectively stamped out Melbourne's hopes of a comeback win over Collingwood. A frustrated-looking May remonstrated with Gawn, but the Demons captain pushed his teammate away. "They know they didn't quite get it right on the day, but they're incredibly close," Goodwin said. "They had a chat themselves, but I've also sat them down and I've also addressed it with the group. "We don't want that look on-field, but we also understand we play an emotional game. "We address things and we keep going forward." Melbourne (5-8) won't waste time lamenting missed opportunities as they look to bounce back with a win over Port Adelaide (5-7) on Sunday. "Footy doesn't let you carry on for too long," Goodwin said. "We need to start getting some positive results and that's what we're going after." Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin only has to point to Kysaiah Pickett's re-signing to know the club is finally steadying the ship. After a thorough off-season examination of the club's culture, the Demons received the ultimate endorsement when in-demand forward Pickett committed to a seven-year contract extension. Pickett, 24, will remain at the club until at least the end of 2034 after signing a deal reportedly worth $12 million. Question marks over Melbourne emerged again after an on-field argument between captain Max Gawn and defender Steven May following their King's Birthday loss. The Demons have been rocked by a succession of off-field issues since the drought-breaking 2021 premiership. But Goodwin was confident Pickett's re-commitment showed the club had turned the corner. "It's a sign that we've got things in good order," Goodwin said on Friday. "It says a lot about our footy club, about where we're at and where we're going. "It's been a high talking point for a number of years now. "We've worked incredibly hard with 'Kozzy' to make this a place that he wants to be and sees a real future here at Melbourne. "He's always said for a long time that he loves the Melbourne Footy Club. "He's just had to spend some time adapting to the Melbourne way of living." Pickett's playing future at Melbourne had at times seemed untenable, given the 24-year-old's openness about struggling with homesickness since being drafted to the Demons in 2019. The subject of rampant trade speculation considering his family ties to Perth and Adelaide, Pickett had been heavily linked with a move to Fremantle. Gawn is well aware a long-term contract may not necessarily pay off, but affirmed the endorsement of Melbourne's culture. "The 'Kozzy' one is a no-brainer," Gawn told Triple M Melbourne. "I know in this world contracts can be a bit flimsy, but it shows the commitment from 'Koz' that he's keen to stay for the rest of his footballing life. "I'm going to take that." Goodwin, after addressing the team about the King's Birthday altercation, said Gawn and May had moved on from the one-point loss. Gawn had attempted to open up the play in the final 30 seconds, but instead gifted the ball to opponent Will Hoskin-Elliott. His mis-kick effectively stamped out Melbourne's hopes of a comeback win over Collingwood. A frustrated-looking May remonstrated with Gawn, but the Demons captain pushed his teammate away. "They know they didn't quite get it right on the day, but they're incredibly close," Goodwin said. "They had a chat themselves, but I've also sat them down and I've also addressed it with the group. "We don't want that look on-field, but we also understand we play an emotional game. "We address things and we keep going forward." Melbourne (5-8) won't waste time lamenting missed opportunities as they look to bounce back with a win over Port Adelaide (5-7) on Sunday. "Footy doesn't let you carry on for too long," Goodwin said. "We need to start getting some positive results and that's what we're going after." Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin only has to point to Kysaiah Pickett's re-signing to know the club is finally steadying the ship. After a thorough off-season examination of the club's culture, the Demons received the ultimate endorsement when in-demand forward Pickett committed to a seven-year contract extension. Pickett, 24, will remain at the club until at least the end of 2034 after signing a deal reportedly worth $12 million. Question marks over Melbourne emerged again after an on-field argument between captain Max Gawn and defender Steven May following their King's Birthday loss. The Demons have been rocked by a succession of off-field issues since the drought-breaking 2021 premiership. But Goodwin was confident Pickett's re-commitment showed the club had turned the corner. "It's a sign that we've got things in good order," Goodwin said on Friday. "It says a lot about our footy club, about where we're at and where we're going. "It's been a high talking point for a number of years now. "We've worked incredibly hard with 'Kozzy' to make this a place that he wants to be and sees a real future here at Melbourne. "He's always said for a long time that he loves the Melbourne Footy Club. "He's just had to spend some time adapting to the Melbourne way of living." Pickett's playing future at Melbourne had at times seemed untenable, given the 24-year-old's openness about struggling with homesickness since being drafted to the Demons in 2019. The subject of rampant trade speculation considering his family ties to Perth and Adelaide, Pickett had been heavily linked with a move to Fremantle. Gawn is well aware a long-term contract may not necessarily pay off, but affirmed the endorsement of Melbourne's culture. "The 'Kozzy' one is a no-brainer," Gawn told Triple M Melbourne. "I know in this world contracts can be a bit flimsy, but it shows the commitment from 'Koz' that he's keen to stay for the rest of his footballing life. "I'm going to take that." Goodwin, after addressing the team about the King's Birthday altercation, said Gawn and May had moved on from the one-point loss. Gawn had attempted to open up the play in the final 30 seconds, but instead gifted the ball to opponent Will Hoskin-Elliott. His mis-kick effectively stamped out Melbourne's hopes of a comeback win over Collingwood. A frustrated-looking May remonstrated with Gawn, but the Demons captain pushed his teammate away. "They know they didn't quite get it right on the day, but they're incredibly close," Goodwin said. "They had a chat themselves, but I've also sat them down and I've also addressed it with the group. "We don't want that look on-field, but we also understand we play an emotional game. "We address things and we keep going forward." Melbourne (5-8) won't waste time lamenting missed opportunities as they look to bounce back with a win over Port Adelaide (5-7) on Sunday. "Footy doesn't let you carry on for too long," Goodwin said. "We need to start getting some positive results and that's what we're going after."
Perth Now
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Pickett's contract an endorsement for Demons: Goodwin
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin only has to point to Kysaiah Pickett's re-signing to know the club is finally steadying the ship. After a thorough off-season examination of the club's culture, the Demons received the ultimate endorsement when in-demand forward Pickett committed to a seven-year contract extension. Pickett, 24, will remain at the club until at least the end of 2034 after signing a deal reportedly worth $12 million. Question marks over Melbourne emerged again after an on-field argument between captain Max Gawn and defender Steven May following their King's Birthday loss. The Demons have been rocked by a succession of off-field issues since the drought-breaking 2021 premiership. But Goodwin was confident Pickett's re-commitment showed the club had turned the corner. "It's a sign that we've got things in good order," Goodwin said on Friday. "It says a lot about our footy club, about where we're at and where we're going. "It's been a high talking point for a number of years now. "We've worked incredibly hard with 'Kozzy' to make this a place that he wants to be and sees a real future here at Melbourne. "He's always said for a long time that he loves the Melbourne Footy Club. "He's just had to spend some time adapting to the Melbourne way of living." Pickett's playing future at Melbourne had at times seemed untenable, given the 24-year-old's openness about struggling with homesickness since being drafted to the Demons in 2019. The subject of rampant trade speculation considering his family ties to Perth and Adelaide, Pickett had been heavily linked with a move to Fremantle. Gawn is well aware a long-term contract may not necessarily pay off, but affirmed the endorsement of Melbourne's culture. "The 'Kozzy' one is a no-brainer," Gawn told Triple M Melbourne. "I know in this world contracts can be a bit flimsy, but it shows the commitment from 'Koz' that he's keen to stay for the rest of his footballing life. "I'm going to take that." Goodwin, after addressing the team about the King's Birthday altercation, said Gawn and May had moved on from the one-point loss. Gawn had attempted to open up the play in the final 30 seconds, but instead gifted the ball to opponent Will Hoskin-Elliott. His mis-kick effectively stamped out Melbourne's hopes of a comeback win over Collingwood. A frustrated-looking May remonstrated with Gawn, but the Demons captain pushed his teammate away. "They know they didn't quite get it right on the day, but they're incredibly close," Goodwin said. "They had a chat themselves, but I've also sat them down and I've also addressed it with the group. "We don't want that look on-field, but we also understand we play an emotional game. "We address things and we keep going forward." Melbourne (5-8) won't waste time lamenting missed opportunities as they look to bounce back with a win over Port Adelaide (5-7) on Sunday. "Footy doesn't let you carry on for too long," Goodwin said. "We need to start getting some positive results and that's what we're going after."
