Steelers Kenny Pickett Is Engaging In Meticulous Film Study With Minkah Fitzpatrick To Prepare For 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers have concluded Day 2 of minicamp practices. The practicing football in shorts portion of the offseason does not reveal very much about the trenches or how the new inside linebackers Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are filling gaps on defense. It does give a good glimpse of how comfortable the skill position players and the Steelers’ second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett are meshing together.

Pickett spoke to the media after practice on Wednesday. 93.7 The Fan was represented by their sports director, Jeff Hathhorn, at the session. Pickett was asked about the difference between this season’s and last season’s version of the minicamp.

“I am getting a lot more reps than I ever was last year,” Pickett began. “I feel a lot more comfortable being in the system the second time around and being with these guys the second time around.”

The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller and the biggest supporter of the former Pitt Panthers quarterback with the possible exception of his family, Andrew Fillipponi was not shy about comparing the last two signal callers in Pittsburgh. The bombastic radio host in his rush to praise Pickett’s need to prepare and study slammed Ben Roethlisberger for going on feel, rather than preparation and wanting to ad-lib. Fillipponi suggested that Pickett is the diametric opposite and requires fanatical preparation.

“Constant communication. That is the key between the quarterback and the OC,” Pickett said about Matt Canada. “Knowing what he likes, knowing what I like in certain situations in the two minutes is a big deal.”

The relationship between Matt Canada and Pickett was cited as a key reason to retain the embattled offensive coordinator. It was suggested that the second-year quarterback could regress with a new coordinator in his ear. The Steelers' offense has been mostly woeful outside of Roethlisberger’s improv and Pickett’s ability to win close games in the second half of last season. It is a calculated risk to retain Canada because the Steelers quarterback could just as easily lock into bad habits in this offense.

“It’s been great, I had a little spot last year,” Pickett said about his new office in the facility. “Now Mink (Minkah Fitzpatrick) is in there with me. A lot of times I am sitting there with him asking questions. He is the best in the league at his position so to be able to sit there with him and pick his brain on what he sees and how he acts in the secondary helps me. It helps me at practice play a little faster.”

Steelers 2nd Year QB Kenny Pickett Impresses In Assumption Of Leadership Role 

Minkah Fitzpatrick continues to step up in a leadership role for the Steelers. The quarterback and the leader of the Steelers’ secondary working together to help prepare the now unquestioned leader of the offense in 2023 are very encouraging. Pickett is demonstrating that he is going to leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of a championship for Pittsburgh. Fillipponi took the opportunity to compare Pickett’s approach closer to how Tom Brady would prepare.

“We have the ability, we have everything in place,” Pickett said about this version of the offense. “If we go execute, we will be able to go shot for shot with those guys and that is the goal. Those teams that are playing deep into February they have that and that is where we need to get to.”

Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have done a remarkable job in remaking the offensive personnel available to Mike Tomlin and Canada in 2023. The Steelers have the tools to be the power running team they want to be this season. Pickett’s ability to be an effective passer and push the ball downfield will be a key factor in how far the team can go in the AFC.

The sheer depth of quarterbacks in the division and conference will force the team into a few shootouts. If they are going to seriously contend in the AFC, Pickett will be the difference in those games. The film study and communication with Canada have to produce tangible results.

What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you happy to hear that Pickett has a fanatical work ethic? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.

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