Steelers' Kenny Pickett On Big New 2023 Helmet "I Just Wear It"

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett in 2022 with their first-round pick. He was the fourth quarterback in the Super Bowl era that the Steelers have selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger both won Super Bowls. Mark Malone, the other quarterback selected, guided the Steelers to an AFC championship game in 1984 against the Miami Dolphins.

Pickett’s rookie season was a full of ups and downs. Like many rookies, he struggled early with interceptions but in 12 starts, he managed to post a 7-5 record. Pickett closed out the 2022 campaign riding high with a three-game winning streak. It included two thrilling fourth-quarter finishes against the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.

Pickett also sustained two concussions in his rookie campaign. The protocols in the NFL have come under serious scrutiny recently. The Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was misdiagnosed with a back injury after he stumbled suspiciously in a game against the Buffalo Bills and the nation watched in horror as Miami's signal-caller was carted off the field against the Cincinnati Bengals, just four days after the incident on Thursday Night Football.

The incident magnified the issues around concussion protocols. Pickett made a miraculous one-week recovery after his first concussion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When he sustained a second concussion in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, he sat out during the game against the Carolina Panthers due to an abundance of caution.

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Discloses The Most Vicious Hit He Endured As A Rookie

On Monday, the most recent Not Just Football With Cam Heyward podcast was released. The first guest was Pickett who sat down with team leader and defensive captain. The subject came around to Pickett’s new helmet which is supposed to help protect him from big hits on the football field.

“I showed up and there’s a new helmet in there,” Pickett said. “They say it’s the best one. I just wear it. It doesn't matter to me. I guess it’s more protection in the back of my head. For quarterbacks, if you’re getting hit, that’s kind of the whiplash against the ground. They said it’s supposed to help, so I am going to go with it.”

Pickett has switched to the Vicis Zero2 Matrix helmet for the 2023 season. It is rated as the top helmet for non-linemen according to a recent report by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. It is good that he is taking extra steps to protect himself on the field. However, his biggest threat might come from his own team after a big play. Hayden Walsh asked Pickett if Heyward was forthcoming with compliments for his teammates and got a surprising response.

“More a smack in the head guy,” Pickett revealed. “It’s like good job, hit on the helmet. When I come off the field, if I score a touchdown you (Heyward) hit me on the helmet. It’s like I got punched.”

Heyward is rumored to be one of the more excitable Steelers in practice. He has a reputation for fighting in training camps with some of his teammates. Heyward admittedly has trouble containing his emotions, but punching your star quarterback could be interpreted as a bridge too far.

“You’re already concussed,” Heyward responded. “So it wasn’t me who hit you in the first place.”

Heyward’s inflammatory response indicates his callous disregard for his quarterback’s health… just kidding. It is an obvious joke between the two team leaders. Heyward is an emotional player and it contributes to his high motor on the football field. This isn’t a surprising revelation that he can become over-enthusiastic during a celebration.

Heyward may just want to switch from head slapping to hugs when Pickett is involved. The Steelers are less than two weeks away from training camp and Pickett will be off limits during practice and hopefully celebrations until, at least, the preseason opener.

What do you think SteelerNation? Is keeping Pickett upright and concussion free the biggest priority for 2023? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.

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