Steelers News

The Steelers Still Believe in Kenny Pickett

Published

5 months ago

November 21, 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett warms up before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers made one big move on Tuesday, firing offensive coordinator after two and a half season. They won’t be making another, as head coach Mike Tomlin announced that they will be sticking with Kenny Pickett as starting quarterback.

Tomlin said that he had not spoken in-depth with Pickett since making the move official on Tuesday morning, but indicated his strong belief that Pickett’s level of hard work and determination will see him through as the team’s starting quarterback.

“I work with him every day,” Tomlin said. “I’ve been really transparent with you guys about him, his willingness to work and my experience and what that tells me. This guy will do anything and everything. He work extremely hard. I just saw him a few minutes ago in the building. There’s such a thing as football justice. Those guys usually get what they’re looking for. So that’s why I remain consistently optimistic about the trajectory of his growth and development.”

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett against the Cleveland Browns, Nov. 19, 2023 – Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

When asked specifically about what he’s looking to see from Pickett, Tomlin said only that he is “looking to win.”

Pickett has largely failed to develop beyond what he showed as a rookie quarterback last season thus far in 2023. In 10 games this season, he has completed 170 of 281 passes (60.5%) for 1,722 yards, six touchdowns, four interceptions and a 79.2 passer rating, 35.7 QBR and 4.96 adjusted net yards per attempt.

That’s only ahead of his rookie pace by the slimmest of margins. He finished 2022 after 13 games completing 245 of 389 (63%) for 2,404 yards, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 76.7 passer rating, 53.6 QBR and 4.7 adjusted net yards per attempt.