After the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-10 win over the New Orleans Saints you would think the Yinzer Mob, AKA Steeler Nation, would have been in stitches and giddy over a win with some sense of better things to come after a 2-6 start to 2022.
Nah, not this spoiled lot.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) drops back for a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 30, 2022, in Philadelphia, PA. | Photo Credit: Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
I guess when you face two decades of winning, led by a sure-shot first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback tossing the ball around the yard, it tends to spoil one. Or millions in this case of Steelers fans. But despite the good news of a win at home and T.J. Watt's presence, there was a sense that fans and some in the media are suggesting Kenny Pickett doesn't have what it takes to be an NFL quarterback and the Steelers should consider taking a QB in round one of the 2023 NFL Draft.
These thoughts are just after five starts. At the most demanding, most scrutinized, most consequential position in football. And in the hardest professional sporting league in the world to compete and win at. It's enough to wish I was forced to watch endless election commercials for an eternity that hear this trash take on the subject.
Steelers Must Draft More Help For Pickett To Improve.
Photo Credit: Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Let's be fair. Pickett is trying to win with an offensive line that has more holes in it than the Parkway West in early February. He got clobbered all afternoon versus the Saints, taking six sacks and running for his life on other occasions. Why? Because this offensive line is awful and has regressed from a decent early season start.
But Kenny Pickett is the problem?
I get that we live in this world of instant gratification, dopamine rushes for how many likes and retweets we get for the smarmy meme you just posted on your TikTok, Insta or whatever social media site you spend way too much time on. Kenny Pickett has very little working in his favor.
It was nice to see Najee Harris have his best game of 2022. Jaylen Warren continues to add another layer of production, and as an un-drafted rookie no less. But when you lump together what KP truly has in his cupboard, Pickett is a step away from an EBT card in terms of needing help.
It's also unfair to compare KP and Ben Roethlisberger's first season. It's not even close to being the same. Ben had two HOF players on offense, one on the defensive side. This was a team that had components to it in place to allow Ben time to mature and grow. As it turned out, Roethlisberger had the HOF pedigree in him. I'm not saying Pickett is not capable of success, far from it. But let's take a look at his game Sunday and call it what it is. Enough to do no harm and register a win.
Some people in the media do get it, however. Case in point below.
Kenny Pickett didn't turn the ball over. Made a few plays. Both with his arms and legs. And the Steelers won the game. Which is exactly what Big Ben did his rookie year. What is there to rip about the guy right now?
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) November 14, 2022
No Looking Back For Steelers On Pickett For The Next 4 Seasons
Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
I generally don't give one ounce of phooey what fans have to say regarding personnel decisions. Most don't have a clue, hear others saying something at the water cooler on Monday and join the group thinking. And when it comes to a rookie QB, one who has a desperate need of more talent around him that can help elevate his play, I really don't listen to the general fan.
As for the media, I guess clicks and sounding important are just part of our line of work. Too bad we can't see past the white noise at times on this Pickett stuff. Truth is, the kid is not equipped to lead this team because he is not surrounded by players that can help.
Did somebody say Matt Canada by chance?
Steelers' Kenny Pickett (#8) and offensive coordinator Matt Canada work on the game plan in preparation for the New Orleans Saints in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
Take a cue from Aaron Rogers and R-E-L-A-X on Kenny Pickett. He's got a long way to go, but he is not surrounded by players from the 1999 St. Louis Rams. This is going to be a work in progress. He's serviceable for now and needs to improve. But to think we need to already replace him? That seems laughable. Nothing says you can't be critical of any player. Just try to base it on reality.
So Steelers fans, are you giving up on Kenny Pickett or not? Sound off below!
#SteelersNation
