Amy Paternoster is ready for the Kenny Pickett era to get underway in Pittsburgh.
Taking to her Instagram stories on Tuesday afternoon, the Princeton University alum congratulated her fiancé, who was named the Steelers’ starting quarterback earlier in the day.
“Absolutely beaming with pride for my man,” Paternoster gushed. “Can’t wait to see all you have yet to accomplish, Here We Go.”
Pickett, who the Steelers selected 20th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, will get the start on Sunday against the Bills, head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday in his press conference. Pickett replaced veteran Mitch Trubisky at halftime in Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Jets and now has the job to himself.
“Kenny will start this week,” Tomlin said. “We made the change. Obviously, Mitch’s performance was a component of the decision, but not the only component of the decision. I just want to be really clear there. Oftentimes, the quarterback position gets too much credit, too much blame. We haven’t moved the ball fluidly enough to our liking. We hadn’t put enough points on the board. The quarterback is a component of that, but not the only component.”
Pickett completed 10 of 13 passes for 120 yards with three interceptions against the Jets. Tomlin said postgame Sunday how he felt Pickett “provided a spark” for the team.
“He’s a young guy. He’s going to grow throughout this process,” Tomlin said. “But make no mistake about it, we’re not grading him on a curve. He’s not grading himself on a curve. There’s an expectation of quality play and playing to win.”
Trubisky started the first three games of the season after signing a two-year, $14.25 million deal with the Steelers in March. He served as the backup to Bills quarterback Josh Allen last year.
Pickett, who played for the University of Pittsburgh, shined throughout the preseason, throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
As Pickett transitioned to the NFL earlier this year, he was supported by Paternoster every step of the way. Engaged since January, the couple is set to tie the knot next year.
Credit: Source link