JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kenny Pickett took a big step toward becoming the No. 2 quarterback — and who knows what’s else — with a strong but surprisingly brief showing in the Steelers’ 16-15 comeback victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
But it was Mason Rudolph who produced his own last-minute magic when he threw a 1-yard touchdown to undrafted rookie Tyler Snead with 1:56 remaining to give the Steelers their second preseason victory.
The winning drive was set up by a Justin Layne interception and 34-yard return to the Steelers 48 with 3:03 remaining.
Pickett worked his magic for the second week in a row, producing a last-minute touchdown with four consecutive completions for 63 yards at the end of the first half to give the Steelers a 7-6 lead.
Apparently, that was all coach Mike Tomlin needed to see. Pickett, who was 6 of 7 for 76 yards with a 151.2 passer rating on just two series, was replaced by Rudolph to start the second half.
Tomlin said last week he wanted Pickett to see more “varsity action” against the Jaguars, calling it “a big week” for his No. 1 draft choice. The former Pitt quarterback responded with another big performance.
In two games, Pickett has completed 19 of 22 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns for a 138.64 passer rating.
The running game that produced 187 yards rushing against Seattle was nonexistent against the Jaguars, managing just 24 yards on 14 carries. The Steelers (1-1) have one more preseason game remaining — next Sunday against the Detroit Lions at Acrisure Stadium.
Mitch Trubisky started and failed to produce a point on three possessions, though Chris Boswell’s 53-yard attempt on the opening drive hit the left upright. Trubisky was 5 of 8 for 60 yards, but he spent most of the time running for his life to escape pressure.
Pickett came on with six minutes remaining in the first half, trailing 6-0. But, on his second possession, after the Steelers stopped the Jaguars on four downs at the 37 with 1:05 remaining, Pickett produced another last-minute touchdown. He drove the Steelers 63 yards on just five plays and threw an 11-yard touchdown to Benny Snell with 23 seconds remaining.
Pickett was 4 of 4 for 63 yards on the drive, the big play a 24-yarder over the middle to tight end Pat Freiermuth to the Jaguars 11 that set up Snell’s diving touchdown at the pylon.
The Steelers’ only other points came on Nick Sciba’s 38-yard field goal with 6:20 remaining.
The Jaguars recorded a safety to take an 8-7 lead when Rudolph was called for intentional grounding in the end zone. Rudolph finished 17 of 21 for 127 yards and a 107.7 passer rating.
Tomlin elected not to play defensive end Cam Heyward and running back Najee Harris against the Jaguars. Otherwise, every noninjured player appeared in the game, including defensive player of the year T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, albeit briefly. Watt had a sack on the second series and never returned.
