Every year during the Combine, the size of a quarterback’s hands becomes a major subject. Some quarterbacks have faced critique over the same at one point in their careers, and Kenny Pickett already saw that coming. Pittsburgh Quarterback Kenny Pickett gained notoriety after setting a record at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. It is, however, not a conventional one.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
The athlete’s hand size holds the record for being the smallest, which sparked a lot of debate inside the NFL and social media. But does it actually make a difference?
The Kenny Pickett & Small-Hands Saga
According to NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah, quarterback Kenny Pickett’s hand measured 8 1/2 inches on Thursday. That’s tied for the third shortest hand measurement for a quarterback since 2003, and it’s below the nine-inch standard that they expect most NFL quarterbacks to have.
On Wednesday, Pickett attended a press session, reporters questioned the value of hand size and its effect on the draft and looks like it did not impress the athlete. Even though he welcomes the situation, he is working on it to be gridiron ready as he has a double-jointed thumb as well.
He responded, “Whatever it measures, it measures. I’m sure that won’t be the end of it, but that’ll be the last measurement I’m sure I’ll take of it.”
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett didn’t have his hands measured here in Mobile, but he has a good reason: He’s double jointed, so his thumb naturally points an odd direction, and he’s doing extra exercises to get an accurate measurement at the combine in March. pic.twitter.com/KLMdraG9AC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2022
Pickett has done a fine job at the position, especially in the last year. In his last press session with the Panthers, Pickett completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 7 interceptions, and 42 touchdowns, becoming a Heisman Trophy candidate, and in 2021, he received the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Is having small hands a limitation in the NFL?
Kenny Pickett’s hands, like Kyler Murray and Joe Burrow preceding him, are considered to be too small for the sport. However, discussions about this have exhausted the quarterback.
The athlete has expressed skepticism about his hand size, as did Burrow, the no. 1 draft pick whose palms measured precisely 9 inches in 2020. The Bengals QB also faced major criticism in the past, and he joked it over social media by considering early retirement. Even if Pickett is drafted next month, he may be in the minority in the NFL for hand size.
Regardless of all the concerns, Pickett is expected to be taken in the first round. Last year, he led the Panthers to an 11-2 record and the 2021 ACC Championship title. As many quarterbacks have done wonders on the field with little hands, any team can profit from the athlete’s exceptional records.
Watch This Story: LA Rams Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp Accidentally Ghosted Peyton Manning For Years
