When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, it was a matter of when, not if he would become the team's starting signal-caller. He was called upon at halftime of the Week 4 contest against the New York Jets and has not looked back since. He has slowly been improving each week and the team has currently scored 24+ points in two straight games while holding a 2-1 record during a three-game stretch since the bye week. In Week 13, the Atlanta Falcons will host Pittsburgh and defensive coordinator, Dean Pees, whose unit has allowed the fourth most points in the NFL, was critical about how Pickett's development has been handled.
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - JULY 30: Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees during post practice media availability after Saturday morning workouts for the Atlanta Falcons on July, 30, 2022 at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
When speaking with the media about Sunday's matchup, Pees was asked about Pittsburgh's offense and the rookie taking over early in the season. He took a subtle shot at how offensive coordinator, Matt Canada has dealt with the quarterback change.
"I don't think they've simplified things for him at all," Pees said.
It's reasonable to look back at the draft process and understand why things haven't been "dumbed" down for Pickett. He is 24 years old and was labeled as the most NFL-ready quarterback coming out of college. The offensive staff would expect someone with his pedigree to be able to come in right away and grasp an NFL offense. Pees disagrees and hinted at the fact that when veteran, Mitchell Trubisky was benched, the approach for Pittsburgh should have changed.
"If you watch the first part of the season with Trubisky and now you watch here, you see the same route tree, you see the same plays, you see the same pretty much everything. I don't think they've changed a whole lot."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks, Kenny Pickett (#8) and Mitchell Trubisky (#10) both prepare to make a throw during off-season drills. | Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
He's right in the fact that the offense has been relatively similar, but the Steelers are having more success getting the ball down the field to George Pickens and the last two games have shown improvement and growth with the unit led by Pickett. Pees did acknowledge the fact that the rookie is learning each week
"I think the guy is gaining experience and getting more comfortable back there. It's like anything else. The more you play, the better you feel, the faster you play because I've seen it now a little bit. I think it's just him gaining experience."
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 20: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Looking at recent weeks, the Steelers offense is averaging just shy of 25 points per game, which is by far the best stretch of the 2022 season. There is no doubt that the same play designs are consistently showing up, but Pees may be living under a rock if he hasn't noticed that Pittsburgh's offense is getting better each week and especially as of late. This should add fuel to the fire as Pickett and the offense head to Atlanta and look to have their best performance of the season against one of the league's most vulnerable defenses.
Do you agree with Pees' recent comments about Pickett and the Steelers' offense? Let us know in the comments below!
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