Former Steelers GM Kevin Colbert Excited For 2nd-Year Quarterback Kenny Pickett To Have "Takeoff Year"

The Pittsburgh Steelers organization led by former General Manager Kevin Colbert was "super excited" to be able to select quarterback Kenny Pickett in 2021. Pickett is expected to take a step forward in year two, and Colbert is anticipating that growth helping the team to a prosperous year.

The two-time Super Bowl winner recently joined The Coaches Roundtable on the Armstrong Neighborhood Channel to discuss some of the league's rule changes. While that was the focus of a couple of questions from host Ed Codi, inevitably the conversation did turn to Colbert's thoughts on a team that still has a lot of his influence on it. 

"I believe if Kenny picks up from where he left off, I think the team will continue to progress," he said. "I think they can have a successful season for sure."

Colbert talked about the tangible progression that Pickett made in his rookie year. As he went from backup, to "inexperienced" starter, to "experienced starter and a better player" by the end of the season. 

While Pickett had the most passing yards in a game so far in his first career start in a lopsided loss to the Buffalo Bills, his growth in his rookie season was really most evident after the bye week. Pickett threw just one interception and led fourth-quarter comebacks against the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders late in the year to help keep the team in a playoff race. Colbert said that sophomore year in the league is always a big one. 

"We always talked about the second year," Colbert said. "It is usually a nice takeoff year for those rookies."

Pickett and fellow second-year player George Pickens developed plenty of chemistry in year one and it should be a helper to both to have that takeoff year like Colbert refers to. Elsewhere on offense, second-year running back Jaylen Warren and tight end Connor Heyward impressed playing in varying roles last season. While takeoff year is certainly relative, Heyward figures to be a bigger factor next year and Warren could be too.            

Steelers Former GM Saw Changes To The Kickoff Coming 

The league's changes for the upcoming season to the kickoff have drawn the ire of some. Colbert said he does have some hesitations with the new rules, he knows they're probably for the best of the sport moving forward. 

"As a traditionalist, you worry about what it might do to the great game," he said. "But as a realist, we understand to keep our game great, we have to make it as safe as possible. There are going to be injuries involved and everyone understands that, but if you can minimize the possibility, it’s great." 

The NCAA made the change back in 2018 to allow returners to make a fair catch within the 25-yard line. This event would be treated as a touchback and the ball would be placed at the 25-yard line. Colbert said once that happened, it was only a matter of time before the NFL took a look and decided "it's probably not a bad idea." 

Colbert has no doubt that coaches will find ways to adjust to the new reality. They'll maximize the new rules to their advantage. He cautioned though that it must be done with those safety concerns that brought on these changes in mind. 

Colbert has taken on a position with the team where he helps alumni transition into life after football and he said that might take him to a couple of away games this season. Colbert said he will be at all the home games in a supporting role for Head Coach Mike Tomlin, and his successor Omar Khan. 

He said he misses certain aspects of the job like going to college campuses, watching film, and practices. The stress of travel and having more time now for volunteer work with his wife and other family matters has made the decision to step away very easy. 

Do you think Colbert is right about a second-year takeoff for Pickett? Comment below!

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