Kenny Pickett gets emotional after being Steelers pick at 2022 NFL Draft

Kenny Pickett slid in the 2022 NFL Draft, but landed with a legendary franchise in a city he’s familiar with.

Steelers legend Franco Harris announced the franchise selected Pickett with the No. 20 overall pick, causing the quarterback to break down in tears as he was embraced by his loved ones, including fiancee Amy Paternoster.

He had already been emotional after getting a call from the Steelers to inform him of their pick.

Kenny Pickett was emotional after getting picked by the Steelers. Screengrab

Pickett starred at Pittsburgh, finishing third in Heisman voting in 2021, so he is eminently familiar with the community and how deeply the Steelers are embedded in its fabric.

He will have the opportunity to succeed Ben Roethlisberger, who won two Super Bowls with the franchise. The Steelers added free agent Mitch Trubisky in the offseason and the two will likely compete for the starting job.

Earlier in the night, as Pickett was sliding down in the Draft, ESPN cameras caught Pickett and his party looking somber, almost resembling previous first round slides from Johnny Manziel and Aaron Rodgers.

The somberness has since given way to profound joy.