The Pittsburgh Steelers made the move in the 2022 NFL Draft to acquire their quarterback of the future as the franchise selected Kenny Pickett 20th overall. The plan was to allow Pickett to learn behind Mitch Trubisky in his rookie campaign, but the struggles of the veteran paved the way for Pickett to earn the starting berth.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pickett endured his ups and downs in his 12 starts, and although he was far from spectacular, the 24-year-old finished with a winning record to guide the Steelers to a 9-8 campaign narrowly missing on the postseason after ending the term with a four-game winning streak. Mike Tomlin and his team will now be looking to take the next step with their quarterback in his sophomore season, and will be hopeful Lamar Jackson leaves the Baltimore Ravens to open up an easier path to the AFC North crown.
The Cincinnati Bengals will pose the ultimate test due to the brilliance of Joe Burrow. Burrow is now the standard for quarterbacks in the AFC North, and his presence alone makes the Bengals the favorites for the AFC North title. Steelers’ fans can use free bets from the leading sportsbooks highlighted by OddsChecker to back their side to beat out the Bengals in the 2023 season. But, even the most passionate of supporters will know that it will take a significant step forward from Pickett and company to challenge Cincinnati, while the Cleveland Browns could also be in the mix should Deshaun Watson regain his peak form. A lot rests on the shoulders of the quarterback in his sophomore season.
Gamble By The Pittsburgh Steelers
The 2022 NFL Draft was not a standout class of quarterbacks. Therefore, it was a surprise that the Steelers selected Pickett in the first round to replace Ben Roethlisberger. Pickett played for the Pittsburgh Panthers in his college career and had a stellar final season in the NCAA, but was far from the polished products of previous drafts such as Burrow.
After replacing Trubisky as the starter against the New York Jets, Pickett had a baptism of fire throwing three interceptions in a 24-20 defeat. He threw for 300 yards against Buffalo the following week in a game that was over in the first half. The Miami Dolphins were the next AFC East team to profit on Pickett’s interceptions, throwing another three in a 16-10 loss on the road. However, that would be a turning point for Pickett as he would throw only one more interception in his remaining seven games.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The reduction in turnovers was a vital step forward for Pickett, and although the Steelers were not putting pressure on the quarterback to win games, the fact that he was not costing his team suggests that he learned important lessons. The challenge now for Pickett will be to build on his campaign, and there is enough talent around him to make an incremental improvement in his sophomore season. There will be a lot of pressure on the 24-year-old to prove a point, especially considering the raft of impressive rookie quarterbacks available in the 2023 NFL Draft that the Steelers could well have selected had they waited a year.
Building On 2022
Not many quarterbacks can lead their team to a winning record as a rookie, and that is a huge positive for Pickett to take into the 2023 campaign. He has a seasoned head coach in Tomlin, who has never endured a losing season in his tenure with the Steelers, which is a huge achievement. With a year under his belt, Tomlin will be expecting more out of his quarterback rather than just avoiding key mistakes.
Rookie wideout George Pickens was a revelation, notching 800 receiving yards and four touchdowns, continuing the trend of success the Steelers have enjoyed with receivers in the NFL Draft. Diontae Johnson was again reliable for the franchise and provides a staple option for Pickett down the field.
Najee Harris has been an effective option in the running game in his first two years in the NFL. If Pickett can develop, it might open more space for Harris to exploit, which will be mutually beneficial for both quarterback and running back. If the Steelers can find the right balance, they will have an effective offense to combine with their fearsome defense.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Looking Ahead
The Steelers made progress in life after Roethlisberger last season, but the 2023 campaign will be a huge indicator whether their decision to select Pickett will be justified in the future. A crucial season awaits the franchise and their quarterback.
#SteelerNation
