The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a very unfamiliar situation through the first month of the 2022 NFL football season. After impressing some fans in their Week 1 win versus the Cincinnati Bengals the team has fallen apart, losing the last four contests. Unfortunately for all of Steeler Nation, all four of these past losses have been against AFC opponents, which doesn't bode well for the Steelers' hopes long term. I think all of us were prepared for a “rebuilding” type of year, but starting the season at 1-4, with our toughest opponents still left on the schedule, this Kenny Pickett led Steelers team looks to be in for a long season.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 09, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York / Credit: Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images
Following the Steelers' 38-3 blowout loss this Sunday to the Buffalo Bills, questions came up surrounding the future of this football team, on both sides of the ball. Pittsburgh has $108 million in this defense that is currently ranked 29th in the league in total yards given up (416 YPG) and is displaying an offense that seems to struggle to find the endzone, only scoring five touchdowns in their first five games (zero have been caught by wide receivers so far this season). There were high expectations for what this offense may be in what was Pickett's first career NFL start.
Despite his efforts, the results of the game did not work in their favor.
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"I thought he was highly competitive," Head Coach Mike Tomlin said.
"But I'm not dissecting it in this way as I stand here right now. We got smashed and that's the only perspective that I have. I understand the nature of your question. It's his first start and so you got to write a story, etc. But football is the ultimate team game. That's why we all love it so much. That's why we all respect it so much. And we got smashed as a collective today. So, I don't have a lot of individual analysis to do."
Pickett, stats-wise, was considered productive, he completed 34 out of 52 passes for 327 yards and added 10 yards in the rushing game as well. Although throwing what was considered to be a forced pass into coverage that resulted in an interception, the rookie first-round pick impressed many with his decision-making and poise in the pocket. Despite the score, Pickett, along with this young offense unit, actually moved the ball downfield pretty well but just failed to convert those drives into points.
"We were moving the ball fine," the rookie QB said.
"We stalled in the red zone. That kinda was the MO for the whole day. We moved the ball up and down the field and then we'd get to the red zone and not finish, not put points up," Pickett finished.
Nothing seemed to phase Pickett whatsoever. Even with the score being so one-sided, the rookie was determined to give it all he had until the final whistle, and that was visible. Not only has he been saying the right things, but he has been displaying his talents on the field as well and has clearly shown to have better on-field connections with his young receiving core. While I wouldn't say this is the ideal spot for this organization to be in, it should help you sleep at night that it looks like the Steelers have their quarterback for the future, already under center.
Pittsburgh Steelers offense led by Kenny Pickett (8), drives down the field in Sunday's loss vs the Buffalo Bills / Credit: Abigail Dean, Steelers.com
"I think the way I work and how much effort and time I put in with these guys, I think the respect is there. So when I'm talking to guys there's no disrespect, no calling anybody out. We all wanna win. That's something we have to continue to work towards. The road doesn't get easier so it's gotta get fixed quickly," Pickett said.
Did Pickett's performance this Sunday give Steeler Nation hope for the future?
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