Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been going through it this season. Everywhere I turn (or in this case, scroll... on Twitter), there always seems to be some stat, public opinion, rant, or criticism on the Steelers. There certainly has not been a lot to be positive about as Pittsburgh finds themselves with a 5-8 record and among the bottom-dwellers of the AFC. And to make it all even worse, first-round pick and the likely long-term option at quarterback, Kenny Pickett is dealing with his second concussion of the season and is doubtful for Sunday's matchup with the Carolina Panthers.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) during a regular season game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
It gives you little reason to even watch the game. A matchup between two 5-8 teams headlined by a quarterback matchup of Sam Darnold vs Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph surely does not sound like the best option to watch on a Sunday. The Panthers are technically still in playoff contention with how awful the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons have been in the NFC South, so there is still a ton to play for on the opposite side of the ball.
Pessimistic Steelers Fans Comparing Brock Purdy Success to Kenny Pickett
Speaking of Twitter, there has been increased dialogue over the last few weeks questioning the Steelers selection of Kenny Pickett in the first round because of the recent emergence of San Francisco 49ers rookie QB Brock Purdy. Purdy has come on and quickly become the spotlight of the league, leading the 49ers to win the NFC West Title this week against the Seattle Seahawks and beating Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in his first career start.
Purdy has been inserted into a perfect storm to make him succeed. The 49ers, outside of the QB position, may have every unit on both their offense AND defense that is in the Top 5 in the NFL. A receiving corps featuring Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle. An offensive line headlined by All-Pro Trent Williams. Purdy is side-kicked by Christian McCaffrey and has one of the best offensive minds in the league calling plays for him in Kyle Shanahan. And that's just the offense.
Brock Purdy has thrown 62% of his passes to open receivers tonight. HC Kyle Shanahan has drawn up a great game plan to make it easy for his rookie QB and SF is in control
— Prime Video Sports Analytics & Insights (@PVSportsStats) December 16, 2022
Then, there's the defense, which is headlined by Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Arik Armstead and Talanoa Hufanga. They have not surrendered more than 17 points in a game since Week 7. The 49ers rank first in rushing yards allowed, 12th in passing yards allowed, first in total yards allowed and first in points allowed for the season heading into Week 15.
Purdy is doing just enough to make the 49ers succeed. He has not even been that great in terms of accuracy, boasting an on-target percentage of just 50.5%. The last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has been blessed to be inserted into an offense and a culture where he has been given EVERYTHING he needs to succeed, which is why logical Steelers fans become frustrated with the local media when tweets like the one below gain traction.
Mike Tomlin/Kyle Shanahan and playcalling dynamics aside, this is an issue: The Pittsburgh Steelers organizational philosophy (from the top down) needs a long look when they drafted Chris Oladokun as Brock Purdy was still there. Oladokun didn’t even make it through camp.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) December 16, 2022
Chris Oladokun would have succeeded just as much as Brock Purdy in this system. Kenny Pickett would be THRIVING in the 49ers system. Hell, Nathan Peterman would be showing success in this offense. While I would agree that the drafting philosophy was flawed under Kevin Colbert which has led to the rut that the Steelers currently find themselves in, 31 other teams also passed on Purdy...multiple times.
And let me make something clear. I LIKE BROCK PURDY! I am a huge college football fan and loved watching him and Breece Hall in the Iowa State Cyclones offense the last few seasons. I want to see him succeed and I want to see how far he and the 49ers can go. Underdog stories are the best.
We really thought Bailey Zappe was going to be the next Tom Brady.
— Rav (@anthonyravasio) December 6, 2022
It’s actually this guy. pic.twitter.com/r9CFLEBgCP
My point is, making the comparison is asinine. Purdy in the Matt Canada offense would be doing way worse than he is now. The fact that Pickett has been able to continually make progress in this system can be attributed to the same reasons that the Steelers took him in the first round. Why are some Steelers fans so quick to give up on him in his rookie season in a bad offense? It baffles me.
What do you think, #SteelerNation? Do you think the comparisons between both of these quarterbacks are warranted? Which QB will end up the better one by the end of their careers? Can the Steelers implement an offense like the Kyle Shanahan offense in San Francisco that would give Kenny Pickett the chance to become a superstar? Let me know in the comments below or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
