Steelers Legendary QB Terry Bradshaw Doubles Down On His Confidence In Kenny Pickett As A Starting Quarterback

Pittsburgh Steelers legendary quarterback, Terry Bradshaw has been in Kenny Pickett's corner, despite the former Pitt star's struggles over his first two seasons in the NFL. The four-time Super Bowl winner acknowledged in an earlier defense of the organization's first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft that he hasn't had the touchdown production many would like to see, but Pickett's intangibles make him the "perfect quarterback" for the team. Bradshaw joined The Rich Eisen Show on Thursday and maintained that he thinks Pickett is still the right man for the starting job in 2024.

Bradshaw blurted out "Pickett" before Rich Eisen could even finish his question about who the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh should be for the 2024 season. Bradshaw couldn't hide his appreciation for the New Jersey native. 

"I love Pickett," he said. "I'll tell you what Rich, I know him and know him well. He's fiercely competitive. He's a tough-minded kid, things don't bother him. I really like him a lot." 

Bradshaw said that the one thing that teams in general need to do with young quarterbacks is surround them with talent. As a young player, Bradshaw struggled in his first two seasons and then began to emerge as a genuine starting quarterback in his third season in 1972. The Steelers had added Franco Harris in the first round of the NFL Draft before that season, which helped the team make the playoffs for the first time in the Bradshaw era. 

Then, in the 1974 draft, the team added future Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, along with another man who'd get a bust in Canton, center Mike Webster. This set the team up to win the Super Bowl in 1974 and the next one in 1975. 

Bradshaw didn't mention how the Steelers worked to set him up, but looked at a modern example of how a team has worked to surround its young quarterback with talent. He pointed to Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers. 

"Why is Purdy successful with the 49ers," Bradshaw asked. "Look at all that talent and look at that coach calling plays. That kid has the poise and Kenny [Pickett] has the poise."  

Kyle Shanahan is one of the best offensive minds in the game. Pickett has not had that luxury. He's had Matt Canada, who got canned in the middle of Pickett's second season.

"I just want my quarterback to be poised," Bradshaw said. "If he's poised, his brain [is] going to be calm. He's going to see the coverages. He's going to be quick with his decision-making and Pickett has all of that." 

Bradshaw doesn't buy into all the hype around getting a new starting quarterback like Chicago Bears' Justin Fields. He thinks with a few more weapons and maybe some offensive line help, Pickett should be just fine. 

Steelers Got The New Offensive Coordinator Hire Right According To Bradshaw

Eisen is already on the record as a big supporter of hiring former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith as the new offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. Bradshaw is also a big fan of the hire. 

Bradshaw thinks that Smith was probably one game away from keeping his head coaching gig with the Falcons, but as things fell, it's a bonus for the Steelers to pick up a coordinator with head coaching experience. It also helps that he has two seasons as a play-caller with the Tennessee Titans, where he had top-10 finishes in yards and points.

Mike Tomlin and Team President Art Rooney II have stated how big of a year 2024 will be for Pickett, and he's got to know it too. His 14-10 record as an NFL starter is acceptable, but with only 13 touchdown passes to go with four rushing touchdowns, it has left more to be desired. 

Wowing in the preseason again like he did to start 2023 would mean nothing. Pickett needs to show that he's taken a real step in real games. As Bradshaw said, it's not all on him, but he's got to deliver on his end of the bargain in a pivotal year three. 

What do you think about Bradshaw's faith in Pickett? Do you agree with him or not? Comment below!

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