The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to their young leader to take their team to the promised land. Kenny Pickett is looking to take the next steps in his NFL career and is in a great position to do so. Pickett ended the year on a high note winning five of his last six starts, the only loss coming against the Baltimore Ravens where Pickett left early and was entered into concussion protocol. The crew at Good Morning Football led their show with Pickett in his second year, and what they are expecting to see from the starter.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) throws a deep ball down the sidelines while warming up for a 2022 matchup.
What Steps Is Pickett Going To Take In Year Two?
On the Good Morning Football segment, "The Lead Block" ex-New England Patriot Jason McCourty had this to say when asked if Pickett was going to make a big leap in 2023:
"I am buying into Kenny Pickett making a huge leap from year one to year two. It's kinda, we all say, a rookie from year one to year two, you make this huge jump, especially at the quarterback position. I look at Kenny Pickett, I look at Trevor Lawrence, last year going from year one to year two under Doug Pederson. Making a huge jump, being a really good quarterback last year for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kenny Pickett had four game-winning drives last season and showed a little bit of that it factor in him in Pittsburgh. And I think now in year two to have the ability to compete for a playoff spot in that division."
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Steelers' Kenny Pickett Led Rookie QBs in Game-Winning Drives During The 2023 Season
Does Steelers Quarterback Kenny Pickett Have The "It" Factor?
One thing that is hard for any team to tell is if your rookie quarterback has "it." A good indicator of this is if your quarterback does not back down when the lights are the brightest. Luckily for this team, Pickett led all rookie quarterbacks in game-winning drives last season with 4. Pickett also ended the year with 7 touchdowns and 9 Interceptions. What this stat does not tell you, is that he only though 1 interception in his last six games.
A player that learned as the year went on, Pickett improved every week he was able to get out on the field. A few injury concerns did pop up, but Pickett battled back and did not make a habit of letting injuries sideline him for weeks on end. With a whole offseason of rest, Pickett will come in and have the full offseason to work with his teammates. With Mitch Trubisky coming in as the starter last season, Pickett now has complete control of the offense and the starting role will help his ability to gel when the team reports to training camp.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett expects to take a step forward in his second season in the NFL.
What Does Success Look Like For Pickett And The Steelers?
Like his comparison to Lawrence, Pickett and the Steelers should be looking at not only a playoff berth, but a chance to win the AFC North. Success for a team like the Steelers is playing for and winning Super Bowls. For Pickett as a player, it is silencing the haters and improving upon what he showed promise in last season. If the game plan allows it, throwing and connecting on more deep balls and more deep touchdown passes, and improving on the turnovers as he did towards the end of last season. The Steelers quarterback has been disrespected by some, but has all the tools and ability to make a big jump.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you think Kenny Pickett will make the jump in year two? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments below.
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