The Pittsburgh Steelers have found their franchise quarterback in Kenny Pickett, and the entire offense has gotten stronger around him. The Steelers have been looking exceptional in the preseason, scoring 24 or more points in each of their games, while only allowing a total of 32 points over their three preseason games in 2023. Pickett has impressed since he started for Pittsburgh in 2022 and while he was breaking records and winning ACC Championships with the Pittsburgh Panthers. Pickett has captured every Pittsburgh sports fan's heart, and he is ready to bring the bright lights back to the Steel City.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (#8) rolls out of the pocket against the Las Vegas Raiders in Pittsburgh, PA.
Pickett has been a Pittsburgh idol ever since he led Pitt to a 2021 ACC Championship win, including an 11-2 record (the best since Dan Marino led the Panthers to an 11-1 record in 1981). Pickett holds the University of Pittsburgh records in total passing yards (12,303), total completions (1,045), passing touchdowns (81), 300-yard passing games (16), and 400-yard passing games (five). Pickett was arguably the best quarterback the Panthers had, and he became the hometown hero as he was drafted by the Steelers with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pickett received nothing but praise from coaches, players, and insiders, saying that regardless of his physical stats, he's a pro-ready quarterback ready to become the face of a franchise. Karlo Zovko, the assistant director of player personnel while Pickett was at Pitt, held Pickett in high regard, saying he was the most entertaining player he'd seen.
"There is no player, I think in my life, I will enjoy watching more than Kenny Pickett. The things he did for the University of Pittsburgh when I was there was second to none."
Pickett is no stranger to the spotlight, playing in multiple bowl games, a conference championship, and being rated the first overall quarterback in his draft class. He was the first quarterback off the board when the Steelers selected him, and he has proven that high of a pick was no mistake. Pickett has shined in his games in the black and gold, leading the Steelers to a 16th consecutive non-losing record in 2022. Picket built off of an impressive rookie campaign in the 2023 preseason, leading the Steelers to five touchdowns on all of his five drives. Pickett is continuing to turn heads leading into the 2023 regular season, and it seems like both he and the rest of the team are ready to live up to the hype.
AP Photo | Matt Durisko
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett looked excellent against the Buffalo Bills during the 2023 preseason.
Pickett and the Steelers are gearing up for an exciting 2023 season with big expectations. Praise from analysts like Kirk Herbstreit has the Steelers being a "sneaky team" potentially winning the AFC North, battling with some of the NFL's best in the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens.
How far can the Steelers go?
The Steeles are looking to return to the postseason for the first time since 2021, and their first playoff win since 2017. Pickett and the reinvigorated offense seem to be up for the task, with connections to George Pickens and Diontae Johnson through the air and Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren leading on the ground. The defense looks as good as it ever has, with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Peterson, and rookie Joey Porter Jr. looking to control the skies, with counterparts Cam Heyward and TJ Watt digging in the trenches.
Kim Klement Neitzel | USA TODAY Sports
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) and wide receiver George Pickens (#14) celebrate after a touchdown.
Pittsburgh's offensive line has some more to prove as well, with rookies Broderick Jones and Spencer Anderson fighting for their positions. However, the line has done very well in keeping the pocket clean for Pickett and has shown its power more than once by opening large holes for Warren and Harris. Pickett is the cornerstone of this exciting offense led by third-year Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. Pickett is hungry for his first-ever NFL playoff game, and he is definitely on the right track to get to that goal in 2023.
How do you think Kenny Pickett will perform in 2023? Will he lead the Steelers to a playoff win? Let us know your thoughts in a comment!
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