The Pittsburgh Steelers ended the 2022 NFL season on a hot streak, winning their last four games while watching Kenny Pickett take huge steps forward and contributing some clutch performances in late-game situations. Regardless of the Steelers not qualifying for any postseason play during their 2022 campaign, the hot streak to end the season coupled with a very promising draft class and exciting signings in free agency have NFL insiders anticipating a successful year from the team. Steelers' defensive end, Larry Ogunjobi, recently discussed his high praise for Pickett and what is needed from him in order for the Steelers to have a successful season in 2023.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Larry Ogunjobi participates in OTA drills on Thursday, May 25 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Steelers' Ogunjobi Has High Praise For Pickett
Ogunjobi recently appeared on an episode of The Sick Podcast where he discussed what he has seen from Pickett so far in the 2023 offseason and how it has been different from what he saw from the young quarterback in Pickett's rookie year. The growth from Pickett was visible to fans throughout the season in 2022. After starting the year out as the team's backup, he had a couple of rocky games where he was turning the ball over and some games he couldn't finish due to injury. Things were looking grim for the team.
However, once Pickett was able to get some more experience, the Steelers were able to go on a strong winning streak with the rookie quarterback leading game-winning touchdown drives against both the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens. When Ogunjobi was asked how Pickett has changed since his rookie year, he had a lot to say about his confidence and demeanor.
"His growth and demeanor, delivering the ball and how he's executing. I'm excited for him. Like I said before, the sky is the limit for him. I know he's gonna do his thing so no worries about that. You see that demeanor and confidence and that's where you can really see the true growth."
This is high praise for Pickett coming from Ogunjobi. Before coming to Pittsburgh, Ogunjobi played a year for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. This was the season the Bengals went to the Super Bowl and the breakout year for Bengal's quarterback, Joe Burrow, who is known for his cool demeanor and confidence. Hearing the same thing about Pickett, from a player who has been on the same team as both Pickett and Burrow, is exciting news for Steelers' fans.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers' quarterback Kenny Pickett
Importance Of Growth From Year One To Year Two
Pickett is in the middle of his first full offseason as an NFL player, and at the end of July he will be entering his first training camp as the starting quarterback for the Steelers. This is extremely beneficial for the growth of Pickett going into his sophomore season in the league.
Having to spend half of your offseason preparing for the NFL combine, to then go and play in the NFL for a team where you don't have great relationships with your guys yet, or enough time to master the playbook, is a detriment for a rookie quarterback. Ogunjobi touched on this during his interview and why it is important to show growth during year two.
"I think the most important growth for a player is from year one to year two because you're not going through all the rookie stuff that you have to do, the combine, your All-Star games, rookie meetings after practice. You get to have a full offseason and train the way you want to, you've been in the system so you understand what it is you need to work on."
Pickett has been taking full advantage of his first full offseason in the NFL. There have been numerous videos of Pickett throwing with Steelers' receivers, including newcomer, Allen Robinson II. Pickett being in his second season with Steelers' Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada will also be beneficial for him because he has a better grasp of the system and what he needs to work on to prepare for the 2023 NFL season.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Kenny Pickett fires downfield against the New Orleans Saints
After the strong end to the 2022 campaign for Pickett and the growth he showed towards the end of the season, he is expected to have a strong performance in 2023 to lead the Steelers to a successful year and hopefully get the team back into the playoffs.
What do you expect from Pickett in 2023 SteelerNation? Let us know in the comments below!
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