The Pittsburgh Steelers are back. Back in Latrobe, Pennsylvania that is. On Wednesday morning, the team and staff slowly poured into Saint Vincent College, as they get ready 2023 training camp. For some, this time around will be much different than training camps of the past.
Abigail Dean | Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 2023 free agent addition, Patrick Peterson, shows up to his first training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Unlike most seasons, there are a lot of high profile new names that Steeler Nation will be seeing on the practice field. That includes the likes of Patrick Peterson, Isaac Seumalo, and the son of former Steelers great, Joey Porter Jr.
One member of the team who isn't new to training camp at Latrobe, but should have a much different experience this time around, is the team's starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett.
Kenny Pickett Enters 2023 Training Camp As QB1 As Opposed To QB3 Last Season
This time last year, Pickett was arriving at training camp at third on the depth chart behind veterans Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Both of them are still on the roster this year, but Pickett has surpassed both of them to take over the QB1 title.
Pickett spoke with the media on the first day, and that included him mentioning his increased input on the team's offense this season as he worked closely with offensive coordinator Matt Canada this spring. That should be music to a lot of Steeler Nation's ears, as Canada has been highly criticized at times about his game plan and play calls.
Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Steelers second year QB Kenny Pickett at his first training camp in 2022.
In addition to that, Pickett was asked about how this year will be different for him given his location atop the Steelers' depth chart. When asked about what it is like being the number one guy as opposed to trying to prove himself last year, Pickett said it is definitely a different feeling.
"Yea I think so. I mean, just being the guy in spring and taking all the reps and things like that. It's good stuff to build on from last year. So yeah, it's definitely a different feeling coming in this year versus last year."
Coming into camp last year, there was likely a lot of pressure on the rookie as all eyes were on him throughout the entire series of offseason practices. This season, a large portion of the media and fan base are fully behind Pickett as the future of the franchise, and for good reason.
Pickett led the Steelers to a 7-2 finish to end the year, which included two game-winning drives and a 5 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio over that span. He also had a QB rating of 84 over those nine games, which is a vast improvement from his first five games where he had a rating of 66.8. He also had a miserable 2 to 8 touchdown to interception ratio over that initial stretch.
Photo by Patrick Smith | Getty Images
Steelers' Kenny Pickett leads a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter vs the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.
Despite the higher level of comfort going into year two as the starter, and having already gone through this process once, there are no days off for Pickett and no relaxed reps. He is treating each rep he gets just as important as when he was still proving himself.
"I think I'm always focused on every throw," Said Pickett to the media with audio via The Cook & Joe Show. "I don't know man. I kind of attack the competition like it's kind of the same as now. I'm just trying to compete every single day against our defense, and everything else really takes care of itself. So I don't think my mindset in terms of competing and going out there and giving my best every single day really has changed."
It is definitely good to hear from everyone around the Steelers that Pickett isn't treating him starting training camp as QB1 as a luxury or making him 'comfortable' as some might say. The best athletes in sports, or really the best in any facet of life, rarely take a break or let up when they get to the top of their game, but instead, keep on driving. Pickett showing that same type of energy this season, and hopefully for seasons to come, will definitely be received well.
There is one thing for certain this season, the offense will go as Pickett goes. If Pickett hits a sophomore slump, then the Steelers offense will continue to look stuck in the mud. If Pickett has a year two leap, the Steelers offense has the offensive line and skill position players to be something special. Pickett isn't necessarily worried about how the offense will work in terms of statistics or perception however, as he has one goal in mind. Winning football games.
"Just go out there and win. You can get in the expectations of numbers and stuff like that, I just want to go out there and win. So whatever that takes, whatever those numbers look like, that's all I'm focused on."
Winning is definitely something that the Steelers are more interested in than numbers, that is for certain. Yes it is always nice when the players, especially quarterbacks, are able to back up their success with their play and statistics, but ultimately if the Black & Gold are getting into the win column, Steeler Nation won't care what Pickett's numbers look like.
Let us know what you think about Pickett going into year two as the unquestioned starter, and how you think he will perform in 2023.
#SteelerNation
