![Steelers' Diontae Johnson on 1st Round Pick Kenny Pickett's Preseason: "[He's looked] like he'd been there before" (Commentary)](/img/legacy/camp-118-of-163-1600x900.webp)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to an exciting start. Not only has the team started off the year by winning their first two preseason games of the season, but their play has also lived up to the hype that this off-season has brought onto them thus far. Although we have yet to see our full starting offense together as one unit, Steeler Nation has gotten small glimpses as to what could be expected once September 11th rolls around, the regular season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks participate in Organized Team Activities (OTA's) Thursday May 26, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
All eyes have been on the three-man competition at the quarterback position since the beginning of this off-season. Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett have all been in a tight competition for who will line up under center in Pittsburgh this upcoming year. So far, all three QB's have impressed. The team is coming off another winning performance on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars where each signal-caller carried the momentum they had built up from the week prior against the Seattle Seahawks.
Although the success of Rudolph and Trubisky so far could have been expected as each of them have over four years of NFL experience to their resumes, the rookie Pickett has been the one to garner most attention throughout the NFL. In just two games so far, Pickett is 19 of 22 for 171 yards and thrown for 3 touchdowns while posting a QBR of above 130 in each of his two appearances. Pickett has impressed with his poise and decision making in the pocket, leading the Steelers offense down the field multiple times for touchdowns, including a game-winning drive with :03 seconds left.
His early success may surprise some people around the league, but many seem to forget that Pickett was deemed to be the most "NFL-ready" in this year's draft. So far, he has shown just that. His play is nothing that his new teammates did not expect, as they have been building chemistry since Pickett was drafted in May. Although only getting eight snaps this past weekend, he is playing the game like he has not skipped a beat since being a Heisman finalist last season, something his teammates are noticing.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) celebrates with his teammates during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. | Karl Roser/ Pittsburgh Steelers
“ I feel like he was comfortable out there, real comfortable. Showed that he can get us down the field in that two-minute drive period. That’s something we were working on throughout camp. He just looked relaxed, like he’d been there before,” said Diontae Johnson.
“Kenny shows it in practice all of the time. We do two minute [drills] all the time. I think Kenny’s developed nicely,” echoed Pat Freiermuth.
In all fairness to his competition, they have also had a great preseason so far. Rudolph himself has posted 26 completions for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while Trubisky has thrown 9 completions for 123 yards and a solo touchdown. The buzz around the NFL is that Trubisky will be the starter once Week 1 rolls around and there will be a short leash put on him.
Pickett has already captured the hearts of Steeler Nation. I do hope to see Pickett on the field for much more action in what will be our final preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Regardless, this coaching staff is going to have a tough decision to make.
Has Pickett's play impressed Steeler Nation as well? Comment below!
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