Steelers QB Kenny Pickett's Stock Is Rising Says 1 NFL Insider: "It's So Pittsburgh, It's Perfect"

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted quarterback Kenny Pickett out of the University of Pittsburgh with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. They had just lost the face of the franchise, Ben Roethlisberger to retirement and while they had signed journeyman Mitch Trubisky, they were hoping Pickett would be their future. 

Pickett had a rough start to the season. He came in at halftime during Week 4 when head coach Mike Tomlin benched Trubisky. Those first few games were tough to watch with Pickett throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. This led fans who hadn't liked the pick to begin with, to start to express their displeasure and frustration with Pickett. 

However, after the bye week, Pickett and the majority of the team returned to the gridiron in fighting shape. Whether it was intense training, team building, or magical Kool-Aid, doesn't matter. All that matters is that they looked like a cohesive unit. Pickett was throwing more touchdowns than interceptions. The team had gone 2-6 before the bye and finished the season out 7-2. 

Steelers' Kenny Pickett Is Quietly Gaining Favor

The offense improved dramatically after the bye week and that is getting Pickett quite a bit of favorable attention. Most recently from Kyle Brandt who co-hosts Good Morning Football on the NFL Network. Brandt said that he sees Pickett as being a possible contender in the AFC North in 2023. 

"I'm into Kenny Pickett. I am developing a sort of football crush on Kenny Pickett. Kenny Pickett won his last five games that he started and finished. He threw one interception in his last eight games. He had two game-winning touchdown passes in the final minute of the fourth quarter, the first rookie in history to do it."

Brandt goes on to say that whenever the AFC comes up, the focus is always on these big-name quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, etc. But he feels that Pickett has a legitimate shot to make a name for himself in that group. 

"Guys, I like Kenny Pickett. And I know they're not super sexy all this guy and that guy - Burrow and Allen and Mahomes - but how cool would it be if in that crazy AFC quarterback fray, another challenger arose? And we're like, 'Wow! Pickett is really slingin' it!' We've got Pickett to Pickens."

Pickett is also showing that he embodies all the qualities that Pittsburghers hold dear - low drama, hard work, and humility. Brandt recognizes all of those traits in him too, giving Pittsburgh a lot of credit for seeing that. 

"I like what they did last year. And if you google Kenny Pickett right now, there's just nothing. There's no story, no Instagram post, no tweet, no cool thing. It's Mike Tomlin saying, 'We're excited about his second year.' It's so Pittsburgh, it's perfect. Low-key, and workmanlike, I love how he finished the year, I love how he's gonna start next year. If you're someone who's like, 'Wow, I didn't see Kenny Pickett,' well I did. I like him, like the way he conducts his business, very quietly. The 17th[sic] pick, no one's talking about him."    

What do you make of Brandt's comments? Do you think Pickett will be able to rise up to the challenge in 2023? Do you think he can compete with the likes of Burrow and Allen? Tell us what you think! Click to comment below. 

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