If you believe the early word out of Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett is the Steelers starting quarterback for the 2024 season.

But given his inability to put points on the board or stay healthy since he was handed the starting job four weeks into his rookie season, how much patience will the brass have with him?

Just how long will Pickett’s leash be next season?

Ray Fittipaldo, Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, believes just a third of the season.

“I don’t know what you would consider a short or long leash, but I think six games is fair,” Fittipaldo wrote in his Feb. 20 Steelers fan chat.

Fittipaldo thinks Mitch Trubisky got the shaft when he was yanked at halftime of Week 4 in 2022. “I thought 3 1/2 games for Trubisky was very unfair. But you don’t want to wait half a season either especially if you fall behind in the playoff race.”

It’s a make-or-break season for Pickett, but if his performance starts leaning to the break side, you can almost guarantee he’ll be benched.

What we don’t currently know is who would start in his place if Pickett doesn’t show significant improvement.

Story originally appeared on Steelers Wire