Kenny Pickett's Hands: Why a Quarterback's Hand Size Became a Big Story

Kenny Pickett arrived at the 2022 NFL Draft process as one of the best college quarterbacks in the country. He had just led Pitt to an ACC championship and finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Yet much of the conversation around him focused on a single number: the size of his hands. When Pickett measured 8 1/2 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine, it became one of the most discussed measurements of the year.

How hand size is measured

NFL scouts measure hand size from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pinky, with the hand spread as wide as possible on a flat surface. For quarterbacks, the number is believed to relate to how well they can grip and control the football, especially in cold, wet or windy weather, and how well they protect the ball from fumbles.

Most NFL starting quarterbacks measure somewhere around 9 to 10 inches. Many teams have informally used about 9 inches as a threshold, and quarterbacks below it often face extra questions from scouts.

The Pickett measurement

Pickett chose not to have his hands measured at the Senior Bowl in early 2022, which only increased curiosity. At the combine, his hand size came in at 8 1/2 inches, among the smallest recorded for a quarterback prospect in many years. He had worn gloves while playing at Pitt, and some analysts wondered whether he would struggle to grip the ball in Pittsburgh's cold late-season games.

Pickett's supporters pointed out that he had played all of his college football in Pittsburgh, including in difficult weather, with very few fumbles. They argued that his results mattered more than the measurement.

Draft day

The hand-size debate did not stop him from going early. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Pickett with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, making him the first quarterback taken that year. Staying in Pittsburgh, where he had played college games at the same stadium as the Steelers, made him a local favorite.

Kenny Pickett's NFL journey

Year	Team	Role
2022–2023	Pittsburgh Steelers	Starter for much of two seasons
2024	Philadelphia Eagles	Backup on the team that won Super Bowl LIX
2025	Cleveland Browns, then Las Vegas Raiders	Backup
2026	Carolina Panthers	Signed as a veteran backup

In Pittsburgh, Pickett led several late comebacks as a rookie and won most of his starts, but the offense struggled to score, and he was traded to Philadelphia in 2024. He has since moved between several teams as a backup quarterback.

Does hand size really matter?

The research and the evidence are mixed. Larger hands can help with grip, ball security and throwing in bad weather. But many successful quarterbacks have had hands near or below the usual threshold, while plenty of quarterbacks with large hands have struggled. Accuracy, decision-making, footwork, vision and leadership matter far more.

• Arguments for hand size – better grip, fewer fumbles, more control in cold and rain.
• Arguments against – modern gloves, ball preparation and technique reduce the difference; many quarterbacks succeed with smaller hands.

Most teams treat hand size as one small factor in a large evaluation rather than a deal-breaker.

Gloves and grip

Many quarterbacks wear a glove on their throwing hand, especially in cold weather. Modern football gloves have tacky palms that improve grip on the ball. Some quarterbacks wear gloves all the time; others only in bad conditions. Pickett's use of gloves in college was part of the hand-size discussion, but gloves are common and legal at every level.

Other measurements scouts care about

Measurement	Why it matters
Height	Seeing over the offensive line
Weight	Durability against hits
Arm length	Release point and throwing range
40-yard dash	Mobility and escaping pressure
Hand size	Grip and ball security

For more football stories, read about Duane Thomas and the power ratings in our guide to Sagarin NFL ratings.