The Pittsburgh Steelers finished 2022 on a hot streak. The Steelers went 7-2 down the stretch and came within an eyelash of making the playoffs. Kenny Pickett protected the ball down the stretch and led back-to-back come-from-behind victories against the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens with the season on the line.
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Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) making the game-winning throw to wide receiver George Pickens in the 4th quarter of the Christmas Eve matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
That was last year, and fans tuned into the first preseason game on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to see what Pickett would look like to start his second season. The second-year quarterback certainly answered the question. His first and only drive of 2023 was exactly what fans hoped to see.
Matt Canada unleashed Pickett and came out throwing. Pickett found his playmakers consistently going 6/7 for 70 yards. Pat Freiermuth converted the initial first down of the season. Diontae Johnson caught three balls for 32 yards on the opening drive.
Associated Press
Steelers’ Diontae Johnson enjoys a moment at Saint Vincent College In Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Warns Opposing Defenses Not To Ignore Diontae Johnson
It was more than a hint for opposing defenses that Ben Roethlisberger was right in his observation on the most recent Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. If you pay too much attention to George Pickens, Johnson will have a field day.
LFG! pic.twitter.com/cTi6WSpPbG
— SteelerNation (@SteeIerNation) August 11, 2023
Halfway through the first quarter, the Steelers were on the Tampa Bay 33-yard line. Pickett targeted Pickens for the first time this season. The results were exactly what fans were hoping for and what defenses in the AFC North were dreading. Pickens took it to the house with a solid run after a catch that resulted in a touchdown.
Pickens is already a massive problem for defenses with his catch radius and combat catch ability. Watch out if he has added to his repertoire by taking routes to the house from the middle of the field. The Pickett-to-Pickens combination might be Pittsburgh’s answer to Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase.
Steelers.com
Pittsburgh Steelers Kenny Pickett and George Pickens celebrating after a touchdown in 2022
Pickett and Pickens were not expected to return to the game against Tampa Bay after their opening 2023 series. The opening drive leaned heavily on the intermediate passing game. There were no deep shots down the field, but the Steelers and Canada may be hesitant to display too many wrinkles in the first preseason game.
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Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett lines up to throw a ball at the team's 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
A lot has been made of Pickett's step forward as a quarterback during the offseason. Media observers have reported that Pickett's hard work to improve had paid off. One drive into 2023, the second-year signal caller emphatically answered that those reports were not hype.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you pumped to see that the offseason hype could be a reality? Let me know what you think. Please comment below or on my TwitterX: @thebubbasq.
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