Pittsburgh Steelers fans were spoiled for 18 years with Ben Roethlisberger as the franchise's starting quarterback. Two decades is a long time and change finally ensued after the legend retired following the 2021 season. The front office wasted no time trying to find a replacement as they signed Mitchell Trubisky in free agency and then, selected current starter, Kenny Pickett 20th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. The big storyline was that the signal-caller was extremely familiar with the building, as he attended and played football at the University of Pittsburgh. The pick made perfect sense.
University of Pittsburgh Athletics / pittsburghpanthers.com
Former Pitt Panthers, Kenny Pickett (#8) and Jordan Addison (#3) celebrate after connecting for a touchdown at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh during a 2021 contest.
Fast forward to 2023 and Pickett has started 18 games and the team has compiled record of 11-7 in the matchups. That's nothing to be ashamed of, but the continuous conversation has been regarding his play in the first three quarters. He has been utterly spectacular in the final 15 minutes of games, but has yet to really put together a complete football game.
It's hard to truly predict what his ceiling is going forward, but as long as Mike Tomlin is leading the way, it seems as if the approach will be to do anything that is possible to grind out games. He will rely on the defense to make plays and the offense to put together a few nice drives to finish the job. This is an approach that always has Steelers fans nervous, but the team somehow sits at 4-2 in 2023 because of it.
One of the main professional comparisons Pickett has received is being similar to Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Kirk Cousins. The two are very similar in size and more so game managers as opposed to guys who will consistently light up the box score. Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette told fans in a chat on Monday that combining Pickett's cutch trait down the stretch of games with Cousins' game managing, and you have yourself a franchise quarterback.
"I think the comp[arison] might be solid in terms of skill sets, body type, physical traits. But you're right that when it comes to the intangible, they're bizarro versions of themselves. And to be honest, if Kenny Pickett's ceiling is Kirk Cousins with the clutch gene, that's not so bad, is it?"
Batko has a point. Cousins is known for making key mistakes late in games and not coming out on top, but if he had the moxie that Pickett has already displayed late in contests, it would be a recipe for success.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6263-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, (#8) stands on the field at St. Vincent College as Pittsburgh practice during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The insider even took it a bit further and can absolutely see a scenario where Pickett becomes a more complete version of himself, like Cousins, while also having the ability to step up late in games to lead the Steelers to victory. This could lead to a seventh and possible more Pittsburgh Super Bowl rings.
"You might actually be able to win a lot of games - maybe the biggest game - if he becomes that."
The conversation then revolves around the defense and how, one day, Pittsburgh is going to need to pay Pickett big-time quarterback money. Roethlisberger was on his rookie deal during the team's Super Bowl XL victory and only won the first year of his initial extension when the Steelers hoisted the Lombradi Trophy again at the conclusion of the 2008 season. He had a dominant defense on the other side of the ball and Pittsburgh is seemingly trying to replicate that approach in 2023.
It's a different NFL in the post-Roethlisberger era. At some point, the offense is going to need to come up with 30-point games when the defense has an off day. In two blowout losses in 2023, the offense has only managed to score 13 total points while the defense allowed 60. It's hard to ask a any defense nowadays to consistently allow 14 or less points.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers dominant edge rushers, Alex Highsmith (#56) and Tj Watt (#90) work together off to the side during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Pickett Still Has A Ways To Go In Terms Of Development
The biggest positive from Pickett up to this point is that he has proven he will do whatever it takes to win. He's the perfect quarterback for Pittsburgh at this point in time. He's selfless and a strong leader. That will only take the team so far; however, and if he continues to underperform in the first three quarterbacks, it will come back to bite him. Overall, him growing into a similar version of Cousins with a clutch gene might be the best scenario for the Steelers.
Do you like the Pickett and Cousins comparison? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
