Steelers Camp Takeaways: Pickett Pops in Seven Shots (+)

UNITY TWP., Pa — Steelers camp hit a new high of intrigue when Kenny Pickett stepped onto the field for the final rep of seven shots on Saturday. Through the first three practices, Pickett did not receive a single rep in seven shots. On Saturday, he finally got his shot and he did not disappoint.

Aligned to the left side of the formation, Tyler Vaughns was matched up against James Pierre. Pickett saw the man-to-man matchup and knew where he was going right away. However, as Vaughns went off the line he got jammed, and Pierre was right in the hip pocket. In order to make that throw, Pickett would have to throw it almost on a line to where Vaughns could rotate and make the catch on his outside hip in the back corner of the end zone.

Well, that is exactly what happened. Pickett aired it out on a gorgeous laser of a pass that Vaughns corralled in impressive fashion. His elbow touched down in the back of the endzone before the back pylon, thus making it a touchdown. It may have been Pickett’s best throw of the entire training camp sessions thus far.

Mike Tomlin was noticeably hyped at the play and gave Pickett a quick pat on the back afterward. For the first rep, the rookie got in the red zone, that is a great first impression to make. Pickett naturally will earn more as they ramp him up, but that does not mean Tomlin can not be a little excited on the field, even if he will not show it in a press conference setting.

“Reps are going to come not only for him but for everyone,” Tomlin said. “We’re at the early stages of this. All guys will have the opportunity to show their capabilities.”