Kenny Pickett's Growth Amid Steelers' Offensive Struggles
In the high-pressure world of the NFL, second-year quarterbacks are often scrutinized for their development and impact on the field. For Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers, his sophomore season has been a mix of promising talent and growing pains. A recent game against the Baltimore Ravens showcased Pickett's potential when he completed a crucial 10-yard pass under duress to convert on third down during a game-winning drive. This moment exemplified the flashes of brilliance Pickett has displayed throughout his career, though consistency remains elusive.
Questionable Play-Calling and Preseason Promise
The Steelers' offensive struggles have not gone unnoticed, with critics pointing fingers at offensive coordinator Matt Canada's play-calling. Despite these challenges, Pickett's preseason performance was filled with promise, offering a glimpse into what the young quarterback could offer. Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, now an analyst for NFL Network, has weighed in on Pickett's progress and the hurdles he faces. Warner emphasized the need for Pickett to improve his ability to work through reads and quickly recognize defensive schemes.
A Decline in Statistical Performance
Statistically, Pickett's Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) and completion percentage have seen a downturn from his rookie season. However, the expected return of wide receiver Diontae Johnson from injury could provide a much-needed boost to the Steelers' offense. The receiving corps has struggled to gain separation, which is reflected in the team's standing near the bottom of the league in receiving yards and yards after catch. Yet, Pickett has earned praise for his intangibles and clutch performances in critical moments. Over 17 starts, he has orchestrated five game-winning drives and four fourth-quarter comebacks, with his completion percentage in final drives showing improvement year over year.
Coaches and Teammates Weigh In
Mike Sullivan, the quarterbacks coach for the Steelers, lauded Pickett's resilience, particularly during the pivotal moment against the Ravens. "He hung in there and was able to get that ball off just in the nick of time before [Hamilton] got to him to hit A-Rob near our sideline," said Sullivan. "That was a big conversion."
Warner also commented on Pickett's evolution as a player, noting, "Kind of the crazy thing is that -- and I think we saw it last year as a rookie -- he was having a little trouble identifying stuff and kind of getting to the right spot early in the process." Warner continued, acknowledging Pickett's preseason improvements in recognizing coverage and making quick decisions, but pointed out the regressions observed since the regular season commenced.
Pickett himself is aware of the intricacies involved in executing a successful passing game. "It's things like routes and timing and spacing," Pickett explained. "It all works together. So that's always the key in the passing game, everything working together -- protection, and guys are on the right routes, and I got to put the ball where it needs to be. So we got to get right in those three phases and expect those numbers to go up."
On October 4, Pickett expressed his desire to enhance his consistency, stating, "I want to be consistently good, continue to be the guy that these guys can rely on." Sullivan echoed this sentiment by emphasizing the importance of starting games strongly and recognizing the collective effort required for success.
Johnson's abilities as a route runner have not gone unnoticed by Pickett, who looks forward to his teammate's return. "Each guy does different things really well, and Diontae brings another element with his route running," Pickett said. "His ability to get separation and get open is awesome."
Sullivan praised Pickett's composure during high-stakes situations, remarking, "The thing that we're most pleased with is when the game is on the line ... there is a calm, there's a poise, there's a confidence that he has." Pickett concurred, expressing comfort in those pressure-packed moments and confidence in his team's ability to perform when it matters most.
Warner's Final Thoughts
Warner reflected on the optimism within the organization, harking back to Pickett's preseason success. "When you're with an organization, you hold on to all the positive things that you see. You go back to the preseason and go, 'OK, I saw him do it. I saw him recognize it. I saw him get to the right guy. I saw him go get touchdowns on every drive they had.