Steelers' Mike Tomlin Expects Kenny Pickett To "Kill It" In Season Number 2

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going into 2023 hoping to get back to the playoffs after falling a game short last year. After finalizing a two-year extension with backup Mitch Trubisky on Thursday, starting quarterback Kenny Pickett will have full control of the team from day one. Head Coach Mike Tomlin talked about his quarterback and what he expects from him going into year two. 

Tomlin appeared on The Rich Eisen Show on Thursday where the two talked about a number of subjects. One question that Eisen asked was simple: 

"Alright so let's just jump into your quarterback here Coach and what you expect now from Kenny Pickett, year two, it's his team, full control from the jump, what do you expect here? What do you talk to him about?"

Tomlin's response:

"I expect him to kill it."

Tomlin follows that quote with his reasoning and why he expects a great year out of Pickett:

"It's his second lap around the track, he's no longer speculating in terms of what this business is about and what this job demands, what the challenges are, what the feel of the process is like, whether it's getting ready for a season, or getting ready for a week. He has all of that experience, so I just think it's reasonable for him to have significant growth in all areas with that understanding, to be more engaged in the process, and to have an opinion about the process to lead more comfortably in his own voice because he has deeper relationships with his teammates. It's delivered for him some and so credibility in there and so it's reasonable to feel that comfort."

Going into year two, Pickett should have a much easier time with everything because he has simply done it before. He knows his teammates, the playbook, and what is expected of him. The Trubisky extension as well as bringing back third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph were underrated moves for Pickett. He knew before both signings that he was obviously going to be the starter, but he now has clarity and familiarity with the quarterback room. 

Tomlin continues on the subject, showing even more praise for his quarterback:

"I'm just looking for him to take a significant step in all areas because he's in a position to and he has the experience, he's performed some, he has relationships, and he's had some challenges. All of those things are platforms for growth and aside from those things, he loves it, he's a gym rat, he likes to work, and he's communicative. He just has all the intangible things that you would expect from a guy at that position, but really at any position to take a step from year one to year two."

Has The Steelers Quarterback Changed?

Another question came up for Pittsburgh's head coach. With it being just over a year having Pickett in black and gold, Eisen wanted to know if anything has changed. His question for Tomlin:

"Have you noticed a difference between the times when you saw him last, and you saw him first in this calendar year?"

Tomlin's answer to Eisen:

"I think we can trick ourselves into saying, 'Boy, Kenny really looks good, boy he really looks comfortable.' I don't know if there's really a significant difference, I don't know if we've faced enough challenges or done enough official business for that to be revealed at this point. But we as coaches man, we can trick ourselves all the time and lie to ourselves, 'Well Kenny is on it this week.' We just haven't been faced with enough challenges for me to really access that at this juncture."

Tomlin didn't have much to say on this question. He defers to not having enough time with him to tell a difference, not that it's a bad thing. Pickett looked sharp toward the end of last season, winning six of the last seven games. The two will look to keep that going into the 2023 season.

Do you think Kenny Pickett will "kill it" in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.

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